Rossi gets on track with 3-2 winner

The Tennessee Lady Vols opened up the SEC soccer season Thursday night against South Carolina in front of a nationally televised audience, and it was the league's top forward from 2006 that proved to be the difference maker.

Kylee Rossi, last year's SEC Offensive Player of the Year, scored in the seventh minute of overtime to give the No. 10 Lady Vols (6-1-1) a 3-2 win over 12th-ranked South Carolina (8-2) at Regal Soccer Stadium.

"I've been struggling, but my team has been so supportive and it felt so good to get that last touch on the ball," Rossi said.

It was just the second goal for Rossi this season, and she said conference play helps her get her head on straight and step up her game.

"When you play in the conference you have pride," Rossi said. "There's pride in the other games, but this is like your backyard and all the teams are your neighbors. You don't want anyone coming into your house."

Rossi's offensive woes have been reflected throughout the team, which posted its highest score of the year after entering the match last in the SEC in scoring.

Lady Vols coach Angela Kelly, who stresses defense first and put her team through one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation, said the dearth in the scoring department doesn't bother her.

"I'll accept being last in the SEC because if you look at our RPI - relative to others in the conference - our girls are getting challenged every single game by the hardest out-of-conference schedule," Kelly said. "Therefore, creating and finishing scoring opportunities will be that much more challenging, but we wouldn't trade it for the world because we're more tested and prepared for anything we may see in the NCAA tournament."

Hosting South Carolina, the Lady Vols seemed as if they would have their hands full. Even though the Lady Vols led the all-time series 10-0-2 coming in, USC had already proved they could compete with top teams, getting a shutout win over then-No.1 North Carolina in their season-opener.

Darcel Mollon's speed proved to be a challenge for the Lady Vols throughout the game. The forard tied the game at 1-1 on a breakaway in the 55th minute. With 10 minutes left in regulation, Ashley Kirk scored off a header to give the Gamecocks a 2-1 lead.

Three minutes after Kirk's goal, UT's Alisa VonderHarr tied up the game with a strike from the front of the net, forcing overtime. Prior to the final period, Kelly took her players onto the field for a fiery speech

"When it gets to overtime, it's a battle of the wills," Kelly said. "I've always tried to instill in the players that anytime it goes into overtime, it's our game."

While Kelly admits the Lady Vols still need to put together a full 90 minutes, the final 17 was evidence there's plenty of energy to finish a game..

Rossi joked with Kelly that her effort was stronger on the pitch Thursday than it has been yet this season, but the junior said the Lady Vols understand the message that transcends from their coach.

"We were busting (in overtime)," Rossi said.

The Lady Vols will play host to No. 15 Florida 2 p.m. Sunday, the reigning SEC champions.