Senior Tiger goalkeeper Mollee Swift held up her end of the bargain, and freshman midfielder Ava Galligan capitalized to help lead LSU to a 1-0 conference victory over Tennessee. 
Coming into the match, there were 11 teams all within three points of each other in the SEC Tournament qualifiers, and both the Tigers and the Lady Vols were in the thick of it with only four games left. At this point of the season, one loss can be the difference in whether or not a team earns the opportunity to travel to Pensacola for the SEC Tournament.
Immaculate weather set the stage for an appearance from the Tiger Band. It also created an atmosphere fit for what would ultimately became a tense SEC Sunday evening soccer matchup in Baton Rouge. 
“I want to give the fans a big shoutout, it was amazing to have the band here, and the atmosphere was just fantastic,” said head coach Sian Hudson.
In a game where both teams have the same style of play,Tennessee dominated possession early. The Lady Vols had seven shots on goal compared to the Tigers’ measly one. With that said, it led to LSU’s defense having to step up, with seven team saves coming in the first half, six by Swift.
Tennessee has taken twice as many shots as they have allowed thus far in the season, outshooting opponents 214-104. The Lady Vol’s 26 goals thus far have come from 26 different players.
Tennessee’s continuous pressure led to a ton of scrambling on the side of the Tiger’s defense, but Swift’s athleticism kept the Lady Vols scoreless, and kept LSU in the game. The Tigers have yet to score in the first half of conference play this season.
But early in the second half, momentum began to shift to the side of LSU.
In the 51st minute, fifth-year senior forward Sammie Noel found Galligan for the game’s first goal, completely shifting momentum. Despite Tennessee’s first half dominance, the Tigers found themselves with a 1-0 second half lead. 
But the Lady Vols came in boasting one of the most dangerous second hand offenses in the entire SEC. 
LSU had to make sure to continue to be physical throughout the entire second half, as the Lady Vols have been portrayed as a stronger second half team than the Tigers are. Tennessee had netted five goals over its last three contests, all of which had come in the second half. This wasn’t the case against LSU, however, as LSU held the Lady Vol’s to only one goal in the second half
Both teams failed to score in the second half of the game despite both sides sharing equally great opportunities. The Tigers ultimately escape Tennessee with a victory.
“We’ll take the win, three points, a very crucial win for us, so I’m very pleased about that,” Hudson said.
This is the Lady Vol’s first loss in the SEC since 2021.
LSU beat Tennessee in a regular season matchup for the first time since 2011. The loss ends the Lady Vols’ seven conference road game win streak.
It’s Swift’s third shutout victory of the season, and her first one in SEC play this year.
Next week, the Tigers draw a No. 19 Alabama team on the road in Tuscaloosa, where they hope to continue this success.