Georgia Hosts Texas in Regular Season Finale Sunday

Georgia (7-4-6, 3-2-4 SEC) vs. RV/22 Texas (12-3-2, 5-3-1 SEC)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 4 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Stream: SEC Network+ (Jeff Dantzler, PxP / Weldon Kolker, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

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

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Texas leads 2-0-0
In Athens: Texas leads 1-0-0
In Austin: Texas leads 1-0-0
Last Meeting: Texas – W, 2-0 (Aug. 23, 2013 – Austin, Texas)
Current Streak: W2
GF / GA: 0 / 5

QUICK KICKS
Season Finale
Georgia, now ranked 30th in the NCAA RPI rankings, hosts Texas in its 2024 regular season finale, marking the first time a Texas sports team travels to Athens as an SEC member. The Bulldogs are looking to carry the momentum from a last-minute draw at No. 13 Auburn Thursday, while the Longhorns have won three of their last four outings, including a 3-1 win over Missouri this week. Both teams remain in the hunt for a bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament, with multiple tiebreaking scenarios in the offing. Georgia and Texas have faced off twice before, with both meetings coming during the Longhorns' Big 12 era. The Longhorns won 3-0 in Athens in 2011, followed by a 2-0 victory in Austin in 2013.

Sunday's Alumni Day match also features the return of former Georgia defender Madison Haugen, who transferred to Texas in the offseason. Haugen appeared in 78 matches with 69 starts over four seasons, scoring eight goals and assisting on 15, while earning All-Southeast Region honors in 2022. As for Texas head coach Angela Kelly, this is Georgia's 17th all-time meeting with the longtime leader, with Kelly holding a 12-4 record in previous matchups (11-4 at Tennessee; 0-1 at Texas).

Play to the Whistle
Georgia remained in the hunt for an SEC Tournament bye with a thrilling 2-2 tie at No. 13 Auburn Thursday evening. Nicole Vernis put Georgia on the board at both ends of the match, scoring in the second minute off an assist from sophomore midfielder Devon Winters and with 25 seconds left via a service from junior defender Cate Hardin. The North Palm Beach, Florida native has now scored in consecutive matches after going scoreless for the first 15 contests of the season. Thursday's draw marked Georgia's first result on the Plains since a 1-0 victory in 2015 and clinched the third unbeaten SEC road slate in program history (2007, 2022, 2024).

Brown's Best
Junior goalkeeper Jordan Brown has provided consistent excellence for Georgia throughout the season, earning the No. 29 spot in Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Top 100 Player rankings. Brown was the third-highest ranked goalkeeper in the country and highest-ranked in the SEC. The Las Vegas native was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after shutting out Tennessee with six saves on Oct. 18. During the Auburn match, she became the fifth keeper in program history to reach 100 saves in a season. She also ranks fifth all-time in program history with 19 shutouts, along with leading the league in saves per game and total saves, while ranking third in save percentage – all three rank in the top 20 nationally as well.

Dawg Bites

Sunday's match marks the second-annual Alumni Day at Turner Soccer Complex, with over 30 former student-athletes returning to Athens to be recognized at halftime.
Sunday's match also marks the final regular-season home match (and potentially final home match) for 12 graduate and senior Bulldogs.
Georgia has displayed a great ability to play with the lead this season, holding a 7-1-2 record when scoring first in a match, with Mississippi State being the lone loss in such matchups this season.
Against Auburn, graduate forward Tori Penn made her 84th appearance for Georgia, entering the program's top 10. Penn is the Bulldogs' active career leader in appearances, shots, and shots on goal, while ranking second in points and goals.
Sophomore midfielder Devon Winters has made a name for herself in conference play. After not tallying a point in her first 33 appearances, the Atlanta native has posted four assists in conference play, including back-to-back contests with an assist.

Strong Slate
Throughout his early tenure in Athens, Keidane McAlpine has made it a point to challenge his team with a difficult non-conference schedule. This year's schedule is no different with the slate currently ranking as the sixth-toughest nationally (first in the SEC) with a current .647 win percentage, bolstered by seven opponents ranked top-30 in RPI.

In 2023, the Bulldogs were the only Power 5 school to play a team from each of the
other four leagues. This season, they are one of five with the distinction, joining Texas, Iowa, Michigan, and Baylor. The Bulldogs and Hawkeyes are the only two P4 institutions to face each of the other Power conferences, as well as take on a remaining Pac-12 school (Georgia - Washington State, Iowa - Oregon State).

Up Next
Georgia travels to Pensacola to defend its SEC Tournament championship. Depending on outcomes from matches on Sunday and Wednesday, the Bulldogs will either open play on Sunday, Nov. 3 (First Round) or Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Quarterfinals). All matches of the SEC Tournament will air live on SEC Network.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotion: Sunday's match is Kick or Treat at Turner Soccer Complex. The first 500 spectators to stay through halftime will receive a Halloween-themed T-shirt. The complex plaza will also feature prizes and games for younger spectators.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Parking: Due to construction at the Turner Soccer Complex, parking is first-come, first-serve and carpooling is encouraged. For overflow crowds, a shuttle will carry fans from the Club Sports Complex parking lot on S. Milledge Drive, located next to Waffle House.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex on the first base side of Jack Turner Stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2024 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.

Georgia Hosts Texas in Regular Season Finale Sunday

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Brown

Cate Hardin

Madison Haugen

Tori Penn

Nicole Vernis

Devon Winters