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Vols fall to Nebraska in final minute of second round

9 days ago
Tennessee Athletics
Photo: Tennessee Athletics

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Lady Vols dropped a heartbreaker at No. 15 Nebraska on Friday, falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to the fifth-seeded Huskers, 2-1. Sophomore Macaira Midgley was the goal scorer for Tennessee (9-7-4). In goal, redshirt-sophomore Ally Zazzara finished the game with three saves. 

Eleanor Dale, the nation's leading goal scorer, scored a first-half goal for NU (16-3-3), and Ella Guyott logged the game-winner. At keeper, Samantha Hauk recorded one save on the night.

The Lady Vols got the first look of the game six minute into play when Simmonds ripped a shot from the top of the box, but it went straight to Hauk for the grab.

The Huskers got their first quality opportunity in the 19th minute when an open Dale got a foot on a cross at the far post, but her volley sailed over the net.

Dale got off another shot two minutes later, but Lawson Renie was there to knock the ball wide for the corner, and the Lady Vols cleared.

Weber put the Huskers up 1-0 with 17 seconds left in the half, sprinting into the box to capitalize on a failed goal kick by Zazzara when she slipped just before making contact with the ball.

Midgley netted the equalizer just three minutes into the second half when Kennedy Price sent a cross into the box and the NU defense couldn't clear it, running onto the ball and one-touching it into the side net from 12 yards out.

Dale got a head on a set piece ball in the mouth of the goal in the 62nd minute, but Zazzara had the reflexes to collect the save.

Weber got another open look from just inside the box with 16 minutes left in regulation, but her shot curved wide of the goal.

The game looked destined for overtime, but with just under a minute remaining, a ball flicked by Jordan Zade landed at Guyott's feet on the back side of goal, and she tapped it over the line for the win.

The Lady Vols finish the season with a record of 9-7-4, having advanced to the NCAA Round of 32 for the 10th time in program history.