The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tennessee
Soccer preview: No. 8/4 Tennessee
09.17.2026 | Soccer
Longhorns host Volunteers for first time since 1996
#8/4 TENNESSEE VS. NR/#20 TEXAS
Date: Sept. 18, 2026
Where: Mike A. Myers Stadium
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: SEC Network+
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP — For the first time under head coach Margueritte Bates, NR/No. 20 Texas will play its first Southeastern Conference contest at home. The Longhorns welcome No. 8/4 Tennessee to Mike A. Myers Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday. The two sides have faced off just twice previously, with the most recent meeting coming on Oct. 31, 1997. The Volunteers earned a 2-0 victory in Knoxville, while Texas secured a 4-1 win in Austin on Sept. 6, 1996.
LAST TIME OUT — The Longhorns dropped their first match in Southeastern Conference play, coming up short against Arkansas, 3-1, at Razorback Field on Sept. 10. Sophomore Ava McDonald scored for the third straight contest, but Texas was unable to overcome a three-goal first-half deficit. Arkansas found the back of the net three times across the first 34 minutes, as a trio of Razorbacks delivered tallies. The Longhorns posted a 21-16 advantage in shots, including a 9-7 lead in attempts on goal.
LOCK IT DOWN — For only the third time in program history, Texas has posted five clean sheets through its first eight matches. The Longhorns have outscored their opponents, 15-6, while yielding just 28 shots on target. As of Sept. 17, Texas is tied for the fourth fewest goals conceded in the SEC, trailing only Auburn (2) and Tennessee (3) and South Carolina (5). The 2026 squad is just the second Texas team to have allowed a school-best one tally through four contests alongside the 2008 squad. Meanwhile, senior Bayliss Flynn became just the second Longhorn goalkeeper to record back-to-back shutouts in their first two starts at Texas in the program's illustrious 33-year history, joining Dana Hall in 2003.
HOME SWEET HOME — Texas owns a 46-14-9 (.732) record at Mike A. Myers Stadium since the start of the 2020 season. Texas has managed to win double-digit contests at home in three of the last four years, highlighted by a 10-1-2 campaign in 2024. Overall, the Longhorns have posted a 199-65-28 (.730) ledger at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
