photo by Greg Davick
The Chattanooga women’s soccer team fell 3-0 to #19 Tennessee Sunday evening at the UTC Sports Complex in non-conference action. UTC falls to 3-5 overall and the Lady Vols improve to 7-0 on the year.
The Mocs held Tennessee scoreless in the first half and threatened early on a pair of shots.
“We defended well, obviously in the first half. We got to halftime 0-0,” head coach Gavin McKinney said. “We created two really good opportunities in the first half for ourselves, I think in the first 15 minutes.”
Mackenzie Smith stole the ball near midfield on the left side right off the foot of a Tennessee player and punched a quick pass to Samantha Shaw.
The Mocs leading scorer, with one touch to push the ball forward, sent a shot over the net from 35 yards out.
On Chattanooga’s next opportunity, Shaw took the ball through traffic and sent her pass across to Smith who got off a shot just inside the 18-yard box that went wide to the right.
the Mocs had six shots on the night led by Smith with two. Shaw, Grace Klippenstein and Faith Gober each had a shot on goal in the effort.
All three of Tennessee’s goals came in the second half on 11 shots in the period. Taylor Huff, assisted by Mackenzie George, scored the first goal just 2:10 into the second half. Huff’s assist to Jaida Thomas in the 61st minute put the Lady Vols up 2-0. The final score came nearly three minutes later off a shot by Claudia Dipasupil in the 64th minute, assisted by Claire Rain.
“They grew into the game a little bit and they’re a really good side,” McKinney said of the Vols. “They’ve got dangerous players all over the park. They created some good chances in the second half, took three of them.”
Mocs’ keeper Abbey Saddler recorded a career-high tying nine saves in her 90 minutes in the net. Lady Vol keeper Lindsey Romig got the win and Ashley Gabor, in goal for 15:19, recorded three saves.
“The girls didn’t stop, they kept battling, they kept fighting,” McKinney said. “For us, maybe a bit disappointed with the result, but never disappointed with their effort.”
Chattanooga closes out non-conference action next Sunday, Sept. 19 against Morehead State. Follow Chattanooga Athletics online at GoMocs.com. Admission and parking is free.
SCORING SUMMARY
1. 47:10 UTK Taylor Huff (5) Mackenzie George
2. 60:37 UTK Jaida Thomas (3) Taylor Huff
3. 63:35 UTK Claudia Dipasupil (5) Claire Rain