Coming into their matchup against the Lady Vols, the Bucs were 2-0 and looking for a big road win.
“We know that we’ll have to be very efficient in our use of possession and speed of play against UT,” said Head Coach Adam Sayers ahead of Sunday’s game. “They press very well all over the pitch, so it will be imperative for us to move the ball quickly, intelligently, and consistently support each other at the right angles in the right areas, so we don’t get caught in possession.”
Tennessee struck first in the 30th minute when forward Maya Neal (Naperville, Ill) scored to give the Lady Vols the early 1-0 lead. Two minutes later off a corner kick by Tennessee’s Danielle Marcano (Buford, Ga) led to a score to give the Lady Vols the 2-0 lead. The Bucs tried to make a charge before the half but didn’t make any shots.
The Bucs got their first goal when Eleonora Goldoni (Ferrara,Italy) scored a corner kick on the left corner to bring the deficit to 2-1. Tennessee recorded their third goal of the night off a free kick in the 58th minute to bring the Lady Vols lead to 3-1. Goldoni scored her second goal of the season in the match just seven minutes later to bring the deficit to 3-2.
Unfortunately, the Bucs weren’t able to capitalize late in the game and fell 3-2.
The Bucs key stat for the night was being outshot 25-13.
The wins so far have been real team efforts. The Bucs look to grow past the game against the Lady Vols and they have the right players to do so.
“Cecilia Re [Busnago, Italy] in particular has been brilliant over the first two games,” Sayers said. “Jazz Elliott [Preston, England] has done very well, especially considering she is just returning from eight months out with injury. Irina Bruetsch [Zurich, Switzerland] has also done very well, showing great leadership.”
This is one of two road game stretches the Bucs will be on this season.
“We hope to see character, effort, hard work,” Sayers said. “It’s important for us to be able to go to places like this and perform well.
With the lost the Bucs record is now 2-1 with a good road test. We want to continue to make strides forward in the way we have been,” Sayers said. “We need to be more ruthless in front of the goal, and dominate transitions.”
