UT's Comeback Falls Short in SEC Tourney Quarterfinals

Wednesday, November 2

Orange Beach, AL

1:00 PM

University of Tennessee

11-9-1, 5-5-1SEC

Auburn

14-5-0, 9-2-0SEC

Tennessee

Auburn

UT's Comeback Falls Short in SEC Tourney Quarterfinals

November 02, 2016 | Soccer

Box Score

Nov. 2, 2016

Box Score | Highlights

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- Tennessee's second-half comeback attempt fell short in a 3-1 loss to No. 11 Auburn in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon in Orange Beach, Ala.

Meghan Flynn scored in the 56th minute to get the Volunteers back into the game after falling behind 2-0 just minutes earlier. However, UT was unable to slow down Auburn's first team All-SEC midfielder Casie Ramsier, who scored all three goals for the Tigers on the afternoon.

Despite a 0-0 score line game at halftime, Auburn (14-5, 9-2 SEC) set the tone early with a solid first half, forcing UT goalkeeper Shae Yanez to make five saves. The Vols did well to defend Tigers' high-powered attack in the first 45 minutes, limiting their chances from dangerous areas until late in the half. When AU did break through for a couple of high-quality chances, Yanez was there to answer the call, making some big saves to keep the game scoreless heading into the break.

Unfortunately, UT's defense finally caved in the 48th minute when Ramsier headed home a cross from Bri Folds to open the scoring and give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

Ramsier added her second to double the Tigers' lead in the 54th minute on an assist from Kristen Dodson. Ramsier was all alone in the center of the box after the feed from Dodson and beat Yanez with a shot to the left side of the net to spot Auburn a 2-0 lead.

Just when it looked like the Tigers might run away with the game, a great passing sequence led to Flynn netting her second goal of the season to cut the lead back to one in the 56th minute. Flynn found herself one-on-one with Auburn goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau after a great through ball from Hannah Wilkinson, and slotted her shot under Le Beau to give the Vols some life.

As Tennessee looked to be gaining some momentum, Ramsier struck for the third time with a perfect strike to the lower left corner of the net from the right side of the box. The goal helped the Tigers regain their two-goal advantage and effectively put the game away.

Flynn and Rylie O'Keefe led the Big Orange with two shots apiece while Yanez made six saves for the third consecutive game. The Vols finish the season with a 11-9-1 record overall after going 5-5-1 in SEC play. UT fell to 15-13-5 all-time in the SEC Tournament with the loss.