armchair
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The star-crossed UT soccer team finally made, and got, its big break last night. Cheyenne Spade's super goal with under 3 minutes to go in the 2nd OT defeated Ole Miss and saved Tennessee's season. The victory propels UT into the tournament after a season in which the team struggled to win or tie a lot of close games. Maybe two big wins to end the year will accelerate the momentum of this young squad.
This was a hard-fought and somewhat odd game. UT totally dominated the first half and yet found itself losing at the half 1-2. UT couldn't turn all the ball possession into quality scoring chances--which is a problem with this team, partly because it lacks a dynamic attacking midfielder. Neal, an excellent poacher, scored a nice goal early off a corner, and the hard-working Ferguson forced the Ole Miss keeper to make a nice save, but that was it for the scoring chances-- not good enough when you control the ball for most of 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the rebels turned a cheap penalty in the box against UT into the tying goal and then scored on a counter to take the lead in a game in which the Vols were totally controlling play.
The second half was different. Ole Miss only needed a tied to go to the tournament and end UT's year, and one might have expected the rebels to play conservatively. Instead, they were the aggressor and played a much stronger second half. UT keeper Simmons made two big saves early in the second half when Mississippi was applying pressure. McClung had a great chance to equalize for UT but futzed her shot--scuffing it right at the Miss. keeper, and while UT striker Wilkinson was working hard, she could not find the space she needed to score. UT sends a lot of balls forward for her to work one-on-one against a defender; problem is, the other UT forwards and midfielders sometimes struggle to get forward enough to get balls back from her; there isn't enough good combination play in the attacking third to generate quality shots--a consistent problem.
After that the two teams just grinded for the rest of the match, with Mississippi just missing a goal at the end of the game, and the rebels had a good chance early in the first OT. It did not look like UT had enough to win it until Spade came through with her back to the net.
The Vols now play alabama on Monday in an opening round SEC tournament game. It is certainly a winnable game.
This was a hard-fought and somewhat odd game. UT totally dominated the first half and yet found itself losing at the half 1-2. UT couldn't turn all the ball possession into quality scoring chances--which is a problem with this team, partly because it lacks a dynamic attacking midfielder. Neal, an excellent poacher, scored a nice goal early off a corner, and the hard-working Ferguson forced the Ole Miss keeper to make a nice save, but that was it for the scoring chances-- not good enough when you control the ball for most of 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the rebels turned a cheap penalty in the box against UT into the tying goal and then scored on a counter to take the lead in a game in which the Vols were totally controlling play.
The second half was different. Ole Miss only needed a tied to go to the tournament and end UT's year, and one might have expected the rebels to play conservatively. Instead, they were the aggressor and played a much stronger second half. UT keeper Simmons made two big saves early in the second half when Mississippi was applying pressure. McClung had a great chance to equalize for UT but futzed her shot--scuffing it right at the Miss. keeper, and while UT striker Wilkinson was working hard, she could not find the space she needed to score. UT sends a lot of balls forward for her to work one-on-one against a defender; problem is, the other UT forwards and midfielders sometimes struggle to get forward enough to get balls back from her; there isn't enough good combination play in the attacking third to generate quality shots--a consistent problem.
After that the two teams just grinded for the rest of the match, with Mississippi just missing a goal at the end of the game, and the rebels had a good chance early in the first OT. It did not look like UT had enough to win it until Spade came through with her back to the net.
The Vols now play alabama on Monday in an opening round SEC tournament game. It is certainly a winnable game.