Tag: soccer

Joe Kirt announces Tennessee soccer signees

Lady Vols sign three soccer transfers from the SEC.

Tennessee soccer head coach Joe Kirt announced a trio of Lady Vol forward signees on Wednesday.

The Lady Vols signed Shae O’Rourke, Anaiyah Robinson and Kylee Simmons.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Kylee, Shae and Anaiyah to Rocky Top this spring,” Kirt said. “Each are proven goal-scorers and All-Conference recipients in our league who will bolster a talented group of returners.

“Individually, they bring their own attacking personality on the ball and in the box, creating quality scoring opportunities for both themselves and their teammates. Each will have a significant role in our program as we expect to bring another SEC championship back to Knoxville!”

O’Rourke enters her redshirt junior season after playing at Texas A&M and South Carolina. She was sidelined in 2024 due to injury with the Aggies. O’Rourke totaled 11 goals and six assists in two seasons at South Carolina.

Robinson appeared in 21 games, including 12 starts, as a freshman at Arkansas in 2024. She recorded 11 goals and one assist for the Razorbacks.

Simmons transferred to Tennessee after playing three seasons at Missouri. She totaled 16 goals and eight assists in 45 games for the Tigers.

Joe Kirt. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Texas soccer secures first SEC Championship in Longhorns History

The Texas Longhorns Women Soccer capture the schools first SEC Championship win.

In their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Texas Longhorns women’s soccer team clinched the program’s first SEC championship, marking a historic milestone for the university’s athletics department.

Under the leadership of head coach Angela Kelly, the Longhorns secured a 1-0 victory over South Carolina in the SEC championship match on November 10, 2024. The decisive goal came in the 79th minute when defender Carly Montgomery headed in a corner kick delivered by standout midfielder Lexi Missimo.

In a season that has seen the Texas Longhorns prove their strength of character in a new conference, their journey to the SEC Championship was capped by a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime win over Arkansas in the semifinals on Thursday.

The third-seeded Longhorns (6-3-1 SEC, 12-4-2 overall) found themselves locked in a 1-1 deadlock with the No. 2 seed Razorbacks after regulation and the first overtime period. With time winding down in the second extra session, fifth-year defender Lauren Lapomarda unleashed a 30-yard strike to score the game-winning goal—just the fourth of her career. The dramatic goal came with less than 90 seconds remaining, sending Texas to its first SEC tournament final and igniting celebration from the Longhorns’ faithful.

The Texas Longhorns women’s soccer team has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Transitioning from the Big 12, where they concluded the previous season with a commendable 6-3-1 record, the Longhorns faced significant challenges, including the loss of star forward Trinity Byars to a season-ending knee injury back in September.

Texas (16-3-1, 6-3-1) earned the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA women’s soccer national tournament. The tournament location and first-round matchups will be announced at 3 p.m. CT on Monday

 

Villarreal Named SEC Freshman of the Year, Three Longhorns Honored on All-SEC Teams

The Texas Longhorns made a strong SEC debut with Lexi Missimo, Mia Justus, and Amalia Villarreal earning All-SEC honors.

The Texas Longhorns made an impressive entrance into the SEC this season, led by exceptional performances from Lexi Missimo, Mia Justus, and Amalia Villarreal. In recognition of their outstanding play, Villarreal was named SEC Freshman of the Year, and Missimo and Justus received All-SEC Team honors, representing Texas on the First, Second, and Third Teams.

Lexi Missimo’s remarkable consistency on the field earned her a spot on the All-SEC First Team, making her the first Texas player to achieve this honor. Already a three-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Missimo’s 2024 season included a league-leading 33 points from 12 goals and nine assists. Her contributions were crucial in Texas’ conference matches, where she either scored or assisted in nearly every game. With this achievement, she joins an elite group of Texas soccer players with four first-team all-conference honors, alongside Longhorn legends Kasey Moore and Kelly Wilson.

Goalkeeper Mia Justus continued her streak of success, earning all-conference recognition in her third different conference. Justus recorded 10 shutouts this season, playing a vital role in Texas’ defense. Her efforts included crucial clean sheets against top SEC teams like Texas A&M and Georgia. In a standout match against Arkansas, she set a personal best with 10 saves, showcasing her reliability and defensive skills.

Freshman sensation Amalia Villarreal capped her debut season with the SEC Freshman of the Year award. The Michigan native quickly made her presence felt, leading all SEC freshmen with 14 points from five goals and four assists. Known for her energy and skill, Villarreal delivered standout performances against teams like LSU and Texas A&M, where she scored and assisted in each match, making a strong case for her Freshman of the Year title.

Texas (13-3-2, 6-3-1 SEC) enters the SEC Tournament as the third seed, set to play on Tuesday, Nov. 5, against the winner of Auburn and LSU. The match will take place at the Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Fla., at 2 p.m. CT.

Huskers close the season out with 3-1 win over Indiana

The Huskers concluded the regular season 6-10-1 and 3-7-1 in conference play.

On Sunday afternoon, the Nebraska soccer team concluded its 2024 season at home against the Indiana Hoosiers. The Huskers closed the season on a high note, taking down the Hoosiers 3-1.

Both teams battled it out in the match. Nebraska fired 12 shots, six on goal, while Indiana delivered 13 shots, seven on goal. Despite the Hoosiers outshooting the Huskers, Nebraska’s defense stood its ground.

The Huskers built a 2-0 lead on Indiana before giving up a goal with over 25 minutes remaining. But Nebraska put the match away over ten minutes later.

Sami Hauk finished 6-of-7 in shots faced, bringing her career total to 238, holding her in fourth in school history and one shy of tying for third.

Sarah Weber led Nebraska in the win, scoring twice off seven shots. Weber’s goals move her career total to 43, placing her in seventh in school history. She also moved to third in school history with 337 total shots and sixth in shots on goal with 31.

Sadie Waite also scored her second goal of the season for Nebraska off her lone shot of the match.

The Huskers concluded the regular season 6-10-1 and 3-7-1 in conference play.

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Husker soccer shut out 2-0 by Washington

Nebraska falls to 5-10-1 on the season and 2-7-1 in the conference.

The Nebraska soccer team celebrated Senior Day by hosting the Washington Huskies on Sunday afternoon. Despite delivering over three times the number of shots, the Huskers failed to score, resulting in the Huskies’ 2-0 win.

Nebraska fired 25 shots in the loss but only seven on goal. Washington, meanwhile, only delivered nine shots, five on goal and two in the back of the net.

The Huskies scored under seven minutes into the match and added another goal halfway through the second. Throughout, they held off the Huskers’ offense.

Sarah Weber kicked a team-high nine shots, but only one was on goal. Weber’s nine shots on the day bring her career total to 330, just 24 shy of Meghan Anderson’s for the second-most in school history.

Reese Snowden was second on the team in total shots, delivering four with one on goal. Abbey Schwarz also fired multiple shots, finishing with two, both on goal.

Nebraska falls to 5-10-1 on the season and 2-7-1 in the conference. The Huskers will conclude the season by hosting the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday afternoon. The match is set for 1:05 p.m. on B1G+.

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NWSL’s Boston expansion team has the weirdest name

What in the world is this team name?

This story has been updated to include a Bos Nation Football Club statement.

The National Women’s Soccer League’s newest expansion team is called *checks notes* Bos Nation Football Club. Yes, that is the team’s real name.

As a writer with a background in marketing, I know how hard it is to come up with good, lasting ideas, especially ones that involve a brand. It is not easy to nail things like colors, mission statement and tagline that will live on for years. However, it wouldn’t be the first time a professional sports franchise created a wild team name.

The Washington Commanders were the Washington Football Team for an entire season until leadership came up with a proper name. Maybe that’s happening here, and the name will change. But is Bos Nation Football Club the best thing someone could come up with? Have you no shame, NWSL?

The league might not be ashamed because Bos Nation recently released a WILD introduction video about the franchise, and I want to cringe.

The new clip, which includes an appearance from Tom Brady, has a ton of, uh, double entendres about soccer balls. (Warning: NSFW language)

*Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep sigh*

Anyway, it seems I am not the only one who might be side-eyeing the team name. Soccer fans had a field day (pun intended) with it.

UPDATE: After intense backlash to the team’s introduction, Bos Nation released a statement saying, “While we had hoped to create a bold and buzz-worthy brand launch campaign, we missed the mark.”

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Huskers soccer shutout by Maryland in 2-0 defeat

Nebraska falls to 4-9-1 on the season and 1-5-1 in the conference.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers remained on the East Coast to face Maryland on Sunday afternoon. The Huskers and Terrapins clashed in a heavily defensive game, but Maryland won 2-0.

The Terrapins scored just before halftime and put the match away in the second half. Both teams delivered seven shots in the match, but Maryland edged out Nebraska 3-2 in shots on goal.

The Huskers finished with six different players delivering a shot. Sarah Weber fired a team-high two shots. Lauryn Anglim and Gwen Lane each earned a shot on goal.

Weber had a free-kick opportunity right before halftime, but the shot flew over the goal. Lane’s shot on goal also missed the mark, hitting the post.

Nebraska falls to 4-9-1 on the season and 1-5-1 in the conference. The Huskers will return home for their final three games of the season. Nebraska will host Oregon on Thursday night. The match is set for 7:05 p.m. CT on B1G+.

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