University of Tennessee extends program record shutout streak to 7 games

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 19/17 Tennessee extended its program-best shutout streak to seven games on Sunday, taking a 3-0 victory over Chattanooga.

Tennessee (7-0-0) has now held opponents scoreless for 630 minutes, shattering the previous program record of 533:22 set over the course of six games in 2012.

Junior Claudia Dipasupil, redshirt-sophomore Jaida Thomas and freshman Taylor Huff were the goal scorers for Tennessee. Junior Lindsey Romig got the start in goal, and senior Ashley Gabor took over at the 75-minute mark, making three saves.

Chattanooga (3-5-0) fired off three shots on goal, and goalkeeper Abbey Saddler recorded nine saves on the day.

“Hats off to Chattanooga, they made it tough for us. They had numbers behind the ball, were organized, and kept the game in front of them,” said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky. “But our players came out with great energy and an urgent mentality to start the second half and put heavy pressure on their backs. Credit to Mackenzie (George) and Taylor (Huff) for making a play so early in the second half, putting us up 1-0, which kind of took the edge off. Then we had quality serves and finishes on goals two and three as well, which put the game out of reach. And it’s nice to get another clean sheet, of course.”

UT out-shot the Mocs 12-2 in the first half, but the score remained knotted at zero through halftime. Huff wasted no time finding the net after the break, scoring off a cross from senior Mackenzie George at the 47-minute mark.

Huff found Thomas in the box 13 minutes later, and Thomas slid it past the keeper to put UT up 2-0.

Dipasupil capped off the scoring, knocking in a serve from freshman Claire Rain in the 64th minute.

Chattanooga got a couple looks in the final minutes of the game, but Gabor was there to keep the shutout in tact.

NEXT UP: Tennessee will begin conference play on the road, traveling to Arkansas for an 8 p.m. ET contest on Friday. The game will be streamed on SECN+.

DIPASUPIL DIALED IN: Junior Claudia Dipasupil has scored goals in back-to-back games, moving her season total to five. She and freshman Taylor Huff lead the team in goals scored with five.

GOOD COMPANY: Tennessee is one of just three programs in the country to have not given up a goal this season.

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE: The Vols’ back line has tallied 630 scoreless minutes, limiting opposing teams to a combined 17 shots on goal and 11 corner kicks over the last seven games.