AUBURN, Ala. – Top-seeded Tennessee tallied first and second-half goals to deal Kentucky a season-ending 2-0 defeat in the opening round of the SEC Soccer Tournament Thursday evening at the Auburn Soccer Complex.

Tennessee seized offensive control early in the match and immediately lined up corner kick scoring opportunities. The Lady Vols registered two corner kicks in the third minute but failed to record a shot. Tennessee?s Erica Griffin got a head on a ninth-minute corner kick, but UK goalkeeper Liz Butler recorded the save. A shot from UT?s Kayla Lockaby in the 25th minute had eyes for the goal, but Butler made another brilliant score to force what proved to be an unproductive corner kick. Tennessee got on the board in the 37th minute when Genna Gorman struck a centering pass to Lockaby, who beat Butler to her right to give the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead. UT took the lead into the half after striking 11 shots to Kentucky?s one.

Kentucky created a formidable scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute but failed to capitalize. Kristin Moyer found Erin Witchey 12 yards from the goal, but Witchey?s ensuing line drive was saved by UT goalkeeper Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart. UK?s Alli Haeussler sent a long, arcing shot from 40 yards in the 61st minute, but Phillips-Bosshart recorded another save. The Lady Vols added on to their cushion in the 69th minute after a well-placed sequence of passing. UT?s Genna Gorman crossed to Emily Redberg from the left flank, and Redberg beat Butler with an 11-yard shot to the far post, giving Tennessee an insurmountable 2-0 lead. UT secured the victory with a 17-4 shot advantage for the match.

Kentucky’s season ends at 6-12-1 after six consecutive losses. Despite the loss, the Cats continued their conference-leading streak of 12 consecutive SEC tournament appearances.

Goals ? UT: Lockaby (Gorman), 36:01; Redberg (Gorman), 68:28
Goalkeepers: UK ? Liz Butler, 7 saves, 2 goals; UT ? Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart, 3 saves