Tennessee soccer’s Unique dynamic leads to success in regular season
By Allie Campbell
Tennessee soccer is known for their long-standing traditions in the locker room. From empowering sticky notes to “soccer tennis” and pregame dance parties, the group’s multitude of off-the-field traditions allow them to shine on the field.
“We would want anybody to walk in our locker room and not know who's in what grade,” Senior midfielder Mac Midgley said.
Only five seniors have been with the program for all four years. Three of them serve as team captains: Mac Midgley, Ally Brown and Ally Zazarra. After playing with four different Tennessee rosters, Ally Brown said that this group is different from any other Tennessee team she’s played on.
“I feel like everyone's commitment to just showing up every day and being the best, I feel like it's just like the energy and vibes from everyone just felt different.” Brown said.
Mac and Ally are not just friends on the field, they are also roommates and best friend. Their close-knit bond sets an example for the rest of the team. As freshman year roommates, they quickly realized they shared similar values.
“We’re both super strong in our faith. And I think Ally (Brown) is like, probably, like, the closest friend I have who pushes me in my faith and inspires me to be a better person,” Midgley said.
Faith is a driving factor for this team as well. While never mandatory, there are a lot of faith- based activities that many of the players have really bought into. They begin the season with a prayer walk on the field and hold bible studies throughout the season.
“We pray for our opponents. We pray for health. We pray for our coaches and their time away from their family and just, yeah, just everybody.” Midgley said.
The 2025 Lady Vols Soccer team has had a record-breaking season. After entering the season unranked, they beat the No. 1 team in the country in the first game of the season. Eventually they earned the No. 1 spot in the Coach’s Poll themselves for the first time in program history. They have remained in the rankings since Week 2.
They credit much of their success to the “process,” a term emphasized by assistant coach Mike Lyons about staying focused on their goals.
“The SEC is hard,” Ally Brown said. “Any team we play is going to be like a hard game. And so I think it's just not getting too ahead of ourselves and focusing on that one.”
While their schedule may be difficult, they are managing it well. With twelve wins, two losses and three ties on the season, the Lady Vols have been dominant. They closed out the regular season with a win, beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday, October 27, successfully remaining unbeaten at home.
The SEC Tournament will be held in Pensacola, Fla. in Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex from Nov. 2 - Nov. 9. The Lady Vols will receive a bye in the first round and play the winner of LSU v. Auburn in the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 4. at 8p.m.
