The Tigers Back on the Road to Tennessee
 
The Tigers were back at home this weekend, hosting their first match in their new league, the Southern Athletic Association (SAA). They hosted Centre College for a one-match weekend this past Saturday. The Tigers earned themselves a 2-0 win against the Colonels, remaining undefeated in conference play thus far.
 
SAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Ilsa Newland
 
Senior Ilsa Newland has been selected as the SAA Defensive Player of the Week.
 
From the SAA Player Release:
 
Newland led the Trinity University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout win over Centre College on Saturday. Newland and Trinity's defense limited the Colonels to just eight total shots in the game and handed Centre its second SAA loss of the season. She also netted the eventual game-winning goal in the 40th minute, giving the Tigers a lead at the half. Newland has scored four goals this season and Saturday marked her second game-winner of the year.
 
Preview - Off to Tennessee
 
The Tigers will be off again, this time to Swanee, TN. This Saturday, October 18, at 4:00 PM, the Tigers will be facing off against Swanee for an exciting SAA matchup. 
 
On the Sewanee Tigers: Throughout the history of this storied matchup, the Tigers have asserted near-total dominance over the South Tigers. The two programs have met 22 times, with the Tigers emerging victorious in 20 of those contests, tying once, and losing only a single match. This overwhelming record underscores just how one-sided the rivalry has been. But as both teams prepare to meet again, history alone won't determine the outcome. The Tigers will be looking to continue their tradition of excellence, picking up right where they left off the last time the two programs faced off in 2016.

This year, the Sewanee Tigers enter the contest with a strong 7-1-2 overall record and a 2-0-1 mark in conference play. Their conference campaign has been impressive, starting with a tightly contested 1-1 draw against Rhodes College, who recently earned a national No. 23 ranking. They followed that up with a dominant 7-0 victory over Millsaps College and a hard-fought 2-1 win over Southwestern University. Their offensive consistency and defensive organization have helped them remain undefeated in conference play, and they'll be eager to keep that momentum going against one of their toughest historical rivals.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have mirrored that success with an identical 2-0-1 conference record, also collecting seven points in conference standings. Both teams currently sit neck-and-neck in the rankings, with Sewanee holding the No. 2 spot and the Tigers close behind at No. 3. This upcoming matchup carries major implications, as a win could not only shake up the conference standings but also set the tone for the rest of the season.

Leading the charge for the South Tigers is senior midfielder Kylene Monaghan, who has been instrumental in their offensive success. Monaghan leads the team in both goals (4) and assists (5), establishing herself as the centerpiece of their attack. The South Tigers' style of play emphasizes technical precision and quick ball movement, often relying on their ability to break down defenses through passing combinations and smart positioning.

For the Tigers, this matchup is more than just another conference game. It's an opportunity to make a statement. They've been building momentum and cohesion throughout the season, and this game presents the perfect stage to prove that they're not just contenders but true championship-caliber competitors in the SAA. Expect them to come out with high intensity, pressing early and setting the tone with physical, disciplined play.

With two teams in top form, both tied in conference points and hungry for a defining win, this matchup promises to be a thrilling, high-energy battle. The South Tigers will be fighting to defend their spot near the top of the standings, while the Tigers aim to reclaim their historic dominance and solidify their path toward the SAA Championship.

Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will be back at home to face off against Rhodes College on Oct. 24th at 5:30 PM.