Georgia Comes Back in 2-1 Win at Tennessee

Friday, October 13

Knoxville, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

7-3-4, 3-2-2

Tennessee

6-4-4, 1-3-3

Georgia

Tennessee

October 13, 2023 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Despite allowing a goal 30 seconds into play, the University of Georgia soccer team came from behind to defeat Tennessee, 2-1, Friday evening before 1,650 spectators at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Graduate midfielder Croix Bethune led Georgia (7-3-4, 3-2-2 SEC) with a season-high five shots, while no other Bulldog player tallied more than one. Tennessee (6-4-4, 1-3-3 SEC) outshot Georgia by a 9-8 margin, including a 4-3 advantage in shots on frame. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown earned the win with three saves as the Bulldogs picked up only their second-ever win in Knoxville.

The Friday the 13^th affair began inauspiciously for Georgia as Tennessee immediately charged down the field off the opening kick, concluding with Kate Runyon scoring off an assist from Jordan Fusco. The Lady Vols' score was the earliest of the season surrendered by the Bulldogs.

The Tennessee lead would prove to be short-lived as just over a minute later, Graduate forward Hannah White played a ball of a Lady Vol defender and shot from the corner of the 18, banking off the left post for the nearly instant equalizer. White's score was the earliest by Georgia this season and the fastest since Madison Haugen's second-minute strike against Kentucky last October.

The remainder of the half was uneventful, with Georgia attempting four more shot, but none on frame. Brown did tally a save in the 12^th minute, with both teams heading to the locker room tied at one.

In the second half, each team came close to breaking the tie, beginning with a shot from Fusco in the 49^th minute that was stopped by a diving Brown. Around 10 minutes later, a beautiful no-look pass set up Bethune perfectly, but Tennessee keeper Abigail Reisz alertly made the late save. The Lady Vols attacked again in the 59^th minute as graduate midfielder Mallie McKenzie deflected the shot with her leg, followed by a corner kick catch from Brown in a sea of players.

Later in the half, Georgia would finally capitalize as redshirt freshman midfielder Summer Denigan scored from 15 yards out on a terrific service from McKenzie. For Denigan, it was her fourth goal of the season, and for McKenzie, it was her 21^st career assist, moving her into a tie for fourth all-time in program history. Over the final 15 minutes, the Bulldogs used stout defense to secure their fourth 2-1 victory of the season.

Georgia returns home next week to face No. 18 Kentucky next Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. Admission is free for all spectators and the match will stream live on SEC Network+.

For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.