JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2024) – The ETSU women's soccer team battled but ultimately fell to Tennessee by a score of 1-0 on Thursday night from Summers-Taylor Stadium. Thursday's loss moves ETSU's record to 1-2-0 so far this season.
 
The opening 45 minutes of Thursday's match saw both the Bucs and Lady Vols put the pressure on offensively. Tennessee would control the pace for most of the first 15 minutes of play before the Bucs would start to generate some pressure on Tennessee's defense in the middle part of the first half after making multiple substitutions.
 
Even with pressure from both sides, the first shot attempt that was on goal was not until the 37^th minute. Tennessee logged that try and put two other tries on net in quick succession, but ETSU goalkeeper Ashton Blair was up to the task stopping each of those to keep the match scoreless after 45 minutes of action.
 
The Lady Vols continued to put the pressure on ETSU as the two teams returned to the field for the second half. Tennessee finally broke through in the 64^th minute as passes from Macaira Midgley and Sammi Woods set up Reese Mattern for her first collegiate goal.  
 
Following the goal by Tennessee, the Lady Vol defense played keep away from the Bucs. ETSU did not record a shot attempt following UT's goal as Tennessee held on for the 1-0 victory. The one goal allowed by ETSU on Thursday to Tennessee was the fewest ever allowed by the Bucs in the series. Furthermore, it was second time in those nine meetings that UT upended ETSU by just one goal (2016 – 3-2).
 
King made four saves on Thursday, which moves her into sole possession of eighth place on ETSU's all-time save list (142). ETSU finished Thursday's matchup with four shot attempts coming from Grace Eatz, Regan Fitzgerald, Jada Cooper and Georgia Shields.
 
ETSU will be back in action on Sunday as it wraps up its three-match home stand with a tilt against Liberty. Kickoff between the Bucs and Flames is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
For more information on Buccaneer women's soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's soccer tab.