Tennessee Shuts Out Texas A&M, 2-0
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The duo of Hannah Wilkinson and Anna Bialczak led a potent offensive attack for Tennessee in its 2-0 win over Texas A&M on Sunday evening at Regal Soccer Stadium.
Wilkinson and Bialczak both had a goal and an assist on the night to lift the Volunteers (9-6, 4-3 SEC) to their third consecutive victory and sixth win in their last eight matches. Both goals came in the second half after neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. UT has now scored multiple goals in 10 of its last 12 games after scoring two or more goals just five times all of last season.
Wilkinson's three points for the game propelled her up to third on Tennessee's career points list with 76. She also moved into sole possession of second on UT's all-time goals chart with 30, trailing only Kylee Rossi's 43 career goals from 2005-08.
The Vols had the best of the chances and largely controlled possession in the first half, outshooting the Aggies 5-2. Texas A&M goalkeeper Danielle Rice made a pair of quality saves off a UT corner kick in the 34th minute, denying Maya Neal and Ariel Kupritz from inside the box.
Wilkinson had the best chance of the half, nearly putting the Vols up 1-0 in the 41st minute. A great through ball from Claire Franks sprung Wilkinson free, but her shot from about 15 yards out curled just wide of the far post.
The Big Orange broke the scoreless draw early in the second half with a goal off the head of Wilkinson in the 50th minute. The New Zealand native placed her header perfectly to the back post off a great cross by Bialczak from the left flank. Wilkinson is one of the hottest players in the country with goals in four straight games. She has racked up five goals, two assists and 12 points in that span to lead the Vols' high-powered attack.
The Aggies (7-6-1, 2-4-1 SEC) started to gain some traction after Wilkinson's goal but the UT defense held strong en route to posting its sixth shutout of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Shae Yanez made four saves to earn her second-career shutout.
The Orange and White put the final nail in the coffin with Bialczak's goal in the 86th minute. The Lutherville, Md., native corralled a cross from Wilkinson at the top of the six-yard box and easily taped it home from there to give the Vols a commanding two-goal lead with just over four minutes left in regulation.
UT finished with a 14-9 shot advantage, led by Wilkinson's five attempts. Neal and Emily Morrow both picked up assists on the night as well. Haley Pounds led the Aggies with three shots and Rice finished with three stops in goal.
With the win, Tennessee improved to 4-1 all-time against Texas A&M and remained unbeaten at home (3-0) against the Aggies. The Vols have only one game next week as they travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats next Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN (Online).
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