Brian Pensky – Syndication Server

Claire Rain announces transfer destination

Lady Vols’ Claire Rain announces transfer destination.

Tennessee sophomore Claire Rain announced her transfer destination Sunday.

Rain will continue her soccer career with former Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky at Florida State.

“New year and new chapter,” Rain announced. “I am so excited to announce I am transferring to Florida State University! So thankful for this opportunity to be back in my home state!

“Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and friends at Tennessee these past two years. I will forever cherish the memories I made as a Vol.”

Rain came to Tennessee from H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida.

She started in all 19 matches in 2022 for the Lady Vols.

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Lady Vols’ head coach Brian Pensky hired by Florida State

Lady Vols’ soccer head coach Brian Pensky hired by Florida State.

Lady Vols’ soccer head coach Brian Pensky is leaving Tennessee.

Pensky, who has coached the Lady Vols for the last 10 seasons, was hired to take the same position at Florida State Monday.

He replaces Mark Krikorian, who abruptly resigned last month in an email to local media members in Tallahassee.

Krikorian led the Seminoles to its third national championship in eight seasons last year before leaving the program.

Pensky, who coached at Maryland for seven seasons before coming to Tennessee, guided the Lady Vols to a 20-3 record last season.

Under his leadership, the Lady Vols won its first SEC Tournament championship since 2008.

Pensky was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2021 and has a career coaching record of 185-111-45.

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Ben Pensky leads Webb to state soccer tournament

Ben Pensky leads Webb to state soccer tournament.

Junior Webb School of Knoxville soccer player Ben Pensky has emerged as a leader and top scorer for his team.

Pensky, a midfielder for the Spartans, has started for Webb and head coach Jared Ziegler since his freshman season.

His brother was also a starter for the Spartans for three years, but saw his high school career come to a premature end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will and Ben are the sons of Lady Vols’ soccer head coach Brian Pensky, who recently completed his sixth season at the helm for Tennessee.

Ben and the Spartans are headed to Murfreesboro for the Spring Fling.

Webb will continue its quest for a Division II-A stste championship. The Spartans are 18-0 and two victories away from capturing a state title.

Ben Pensky helped the Spartans punch their ticket to Murfreesboro as he scored two goals and picked up one assist for Webb in its 5-0 victory in a State VIII match against University School of Nashville.

Lady Vols defeat No. 10 Vanderbilt, 1-0

Lady Vols defeat No. 10 Vanderbilt, 1-0.

KNOXVILLE — The Lady Vols soccer team was in action Sunday at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Tennessee (1-1) defeated No. 10 Vanderbilt (1-1), 1-0, in overtime. It was Tennessee’s first win over the Commodores since 2013.

Redshirt freshman forward Jaida Thomas scored the golden goal for Tennessee in the 92nd minute. The goal came off a corner kick from junior midfielder Hannah Tillett.

“One of the things we really wanted to do today was to give a performance that we could be proud of, one that we could feel good about,” Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky said following the match. “To get a win and get three points, we couldn’t feel any better. All the credit goes to our team, to our players.”

The victory over No. 10 Vanderbilt was Tennessee’s 11th all-time over a top-10 nationally ranked opponent.

The Lady Vols will be back in action Friday at Georgia. The match will be televised by SEC Network and is slated for a 7 p.m. EDT start.