NR/No. 20 Soccer ties No. 8/4 Tennessee, 2-2

Friday, September 18

Austin, Texas

7 p.m. CT

University of Texas

5-2-2, 0-1-1

Tennessee

6-0-2, 1-0-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Tennessee	1	1	2
Texas	2	0	2

Box Score (PDF)

Mya Brandon Goal Celebration vs. Tennessee

Mya Brandon celebrates first goal as Longhorn.

09.18.2026 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Longhorns secure first point in SEC play

AUSTIN, Texas — In its first Southeastern Conference home contest under Margueritte Bates, NR/No. 20 Texas earned a 2-2 draw against No. 8/4 Tennessee at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Friday evening.

"That's a huge step for our program," Bates said. "Coming off the season we had last year, doing this against the No. 8 team in the country and playing the last 20 minutes down a player was huge for us. That being said, I'm probably more frustrated after this game than any other game because we could have definitely won. So, I'm very proud of what we did, but I'm pleased to say that we're at a point in our development where we aren't anywhere close to satisfied."

Florida State transfers Mya Brandon and Ashlyn Anderson both delivered their first goals in burnt orange, as the short-handed Longhorns (5-2-2, 0-1-1 SEC) fended off the Lady Volunteers (6-0-2, 1-0-1 SEC) to register a point.

After Tennessee scored in the opening 12 minutes for the seventh time in its first eight matches, Texas responded with a pair of tallies of its own.

In the 27^th minute, Brandon corralled a blocked attempt that spit out to the top of the box. The sophomore defender weaved her way into space before driving a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner of the cage.

Less than 60 ticks later, Anderson vaulted the Longhorns in front for the first time in SEC play.

Following the ensuing kickoff, Ava McDonald pushed the pace ahead into the attacking third. McDonald slipped a pass through the Tennessee backline, finding Anderson free in the box. The sophomore forward ripped a right-footed strike from 12 yards away that barreled into the far side-netting.

With the back-to-back goals, the Longhorns became the first program to take a lead against the Lady Volunteers this season. Entering Friday's tilt, Tennessee had not trailed a single minute and held advantages heading into the break in its first six contests.

Texas contained one of the top-attacking teams nationally midway into the second half, but the visitors equalized in the 68^th minute.

Shae O'Rourke, who put the Lady Volunteers on the board in the opening frame, lofted a cross toward the back post. Kylee Simmons leaped in the air and headed home the service to level the match, 2-2.

The physical affair featured 16 fouls, six yellow cards and one red card, with the Longhorns battling down a player over the final 20 minutes and 39 seconds.

Texas continues conference action at Florida on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.