The Tennessee soccer program embraced the challenge of opening the season against North Carolina, the reigning national champions and the No. 1 team in the country. UT head coach Joe Kirt said last week that the game would be an early-season measuring stick for where the team was and where it needed to improve, anticipating an exciting clash in Knoxville.
If the game were a grade, the Lady Vols passed with flying colors.
Tennessee earned its first win over a No. 1-ranked team in program history on Thursday night with a 2-0 win over North Carolina.
“We didn’t change anything tonight for UNC,” said Kirt, via UTSports. “We were ourselves. This team has been connected all year. We talk about it all the time—our voices, our energy, looking after teammates and they did exactly that tonight. They covered for one another, stepped up and made plays.”
WHAT AN UPSET TO START THE COLLEGE SOCCER SEASON!
Tennessee takes down defending national champ and top-ranked North Carolina 2-0, the first win over No. 1 in school history! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/wLCIj7TBWw
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 15, 2025
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Tennessee scored in the 56th minute and the 75th minute to earn the shutout victory. Redshirt junior Shae O’Rourke had both goals in the victory.
“It’s just great to be back on the field with this team,” O’Rourke said after the game. “We played so hard. You could see the energy out there. This team was together tonight, and that’s what produced goals. Really excited.”
The Lady Vols’ win also marks the first time since 2002 that a reigning NCAA Women’s National Champion has lost its season opener.
History for the record books.
Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt wasn’t backing down from the challenge, and neither was his team.
“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s where we want to finish the season, right? We want to play those games in December,” Kirt said about playing UNC during a preseason press conference on Morning morning. “So let’s figure out where we are early on. It’s going to be no different than playing Clemson over the weekend. It’s going to help us prepare for not only what we’re going to see in the league, but what we’re going to see in the NCAA Tournament. So, I think right away we’re going to know: here’s where we are, here’s where we need to improve, here’s what we need to keep doing. It’s why we’re here, to compete for national championships. So let’s see where we are straight away.”
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A LADY VOL!! #GBO ⚽️🍊 pic.twitter.com/rR36drFXDA
— Tennessee Soccer (@Vol_Soccer) August 15, 2025
For more on Tennessee’s victory over No. 1 North Carolina, check out Trevor McGee’s write-up for The Daily Beacon here.
