KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee soccer snapped a four-match losing streak with a 0-0 draw against Kentucky at Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Vols (6-4-4, 1-4-3) generated plenty of chances in the match, registering 17 shots and six attempts on target. Each shot on goal was thwarted by Kentucky goalkeeper Megan Holland, who had a standout day with six saves to deny Tennessee from claiming three points.
“Awesome support from Vol nation today, really great environment here at Regal,” head coach Joe Kirt said after the match. “We didn’t get to reward that with a goal today as a stingy Kentucky team made it really difficult for us. Our team’s effort, competitiveness, and willingness to defend were tremendous today. But ultimately, the game comes down to scoring goals if you want to win, and once again, didn’t take our chances today.”
Tennessee’s defense locked down Kentucky over the opening 45 minutes, limiting the Wildcats to zero shots in the first half. Despite recording eight shots of their own in the opening period, the Lady Vols were unable to add to the scoresheet.
Despite an increased offensive presence by Kentucky in the second half, the Lady Vol defense remained firm. The Wildcats had 10 second-half shots but were also unable to find a goal as Tennessee goalkeeper Cayden Norris posted three saves to earn the Lady Vols’ sixth clean sheet of the season and first in five matches.
“The defense not giving up a shot in the first half is credit to our whole team,” Kirt said. “To get a shutout is a good thing, they earned it today. It was a team shutout, Cayden (Norris) made some plays, dealt with some balls in the box. There were some key headers in there too.”
Tennessee has now recorded 41 shots over its past three matches without converting for a goal. Freshman forward Ayva Jordan and junior defender Kameran Bluette led the Lady Vols with four shots apiece on Sunday.
Just two regular season matches remain for Tennessee in 2026. The Lady Vols will head to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to take on the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide Friday, Oct. 23, followed by the season finale against Oklahoma, set for Nov. 1 at Regal Soccer Stadium.
