The Lipscomb women’s soccer team will face in-state opponents Tennessee 4 pm Friday in the first round of the 2021 NCAA College Cup, the team learned Monday afternoon during the NCAA Women’s Soccer Selection Show.
The Bisons earned an automatic qualification spot Saturday when they won the ASUN Championship for the third time in four years against Kennesaw State.
Tennessee will host Lipscomb in the second-ever meeting between the two sides and the home side’s first tournament appearance since 2018, when they reached the quarterfinal. The previous match between the two ended in a 0-0 draw after two overtimes in 2015.
Lipscomb will make their third appearance in four years in the College Cup, also making a milestone year out of 2018 when they reached the 2nd round of the tournament.
10th-year head coach Kevin O’Brien was quick to give respect to a Tennessee squad he knows well.
“I watched Tennessee in person this year when they came into town to play Vanderbilt,” O’Brien said. “[They’re] a fantastic team, well-coached with great organization and great athleticism.”
When it comes to potential weaknesses to exploit, O’Brien admits there aren’t many to choose from.
“There’s really not a whole lot that group is lacking, so it’s going to be a great test, but we’re up for it.”
Boasting a 2-1 record against Power 5 opponents and a 1-1 mark against SEC schools this year, Lipscomb is no stranger to high-profile matchups. They also took down Mississippi State in the first round of their 2018 run, representing their only previous SEC contest in a College Cup match.
Tennessee enters the match with 17 wins and two losses and with a top 10 ranking in both the United Soccer Coaches poll and the NCAA RPI ranking. Their 55 goals on the season is the highest total of anyone Lipscomb has faced this year and constitutes an average of 2.75 goals per match.
Lipscomb, however, can rely on sophomores CJ Graham and Shelby Craft to keep the Lady Vols out defensively. The Bisons’ first-choice goalkeeper, Graham leads the nation in clean sheets with 13 and has over 70 saves in 20 matches. Craft, a defensive midfielder and Penn State transfer, was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season while also contributing four goals in attack.
The winner between the Bisons and the Lady Vols will face the winner of Montana and Washington State in the Round of 32 at a location to be determined.
Lipscomb’s first-round match will be broadcast live from Knoxville on The Bison, Lipscomb’s on-campus radio station. Pregame coverage will begin at 3:45 pm central before kickoff at 4 pm.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Jimmy McCollum