KNOXVILLE, TENN. – The Tennessee soccer team started its 2025 campaign by tallying the program’s first victory over the top-ranked team in the nation, as it logged a 2-0 victory over North Carolina, the defending national champion.
The Lady Vols’ win over the Tar Heels marks the first season-opening triumph over a reigning NCAA champion since 2002 when Santa Clara defeated Stanford.
The result also marks head coach Joe Kirt’s second career top-10 win, with the first one coming in the 2024 season when UT defeated No. 5/7 Memphis, 1-0.
“We didn’t change anything tonight for UNC,” said Kirt. “We were ourselves. This team has been connected all year. We talk about it all the time—our voices, our energy, looking after teammates and they did exactly that tonight. They covered for one another, stepped up and made plays.”
After a scoreless first half, the Lady Vols broke through in the 57th minute when senior Jenna Stayart sent a pass to redshirt junior Shae O’Rourke in the attacking third. O’Rourke beat the charging goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an open net for her first goal in a Tennessee uniform.
North Carolina applied pressure in the second half, recording nine of its 14 total shots after halftime, but Tennessee doubled its lead in the 75th minute. Stayart played a cross-field through ball to senior substitute Sarah Kate Rath on the right wing, who delivered a low cross to O’Rourke for her second goal of the match.
Sophomore goalkeeper Cayden Norris made five saves for the shutout. O’Rourke led Tennessee with four shots, three on target. Stayart, Rath and senior Kate Runyon each added one shot.
Stayart recorded the first multi-assist match of her collegiate career, while both O’Rourke and Rath tallied points.
UNC finished with 14 shots, six on goal.
UP NEXT: Tennessee hosts Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. E.T..
