Lady Vols shut out Gators, 2-0 (soccer)

University of Tennessee soccer coach Angela Kelly wouldn't trade her goalkeeper, Jaimel Johnson, for any other in the country.

Kelly was reminded again Sunday afternoon how valuable Johnson is in goal.

Johnson had a career-high 11 saves and the No. 10-ranked Lady Vols rode Kylee Rossi's two goals to a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Florida in an SEC match in front of 1,581 fans at Regal Soccer Stadium.

"I wouldn't say it's the game of (Johnson's) life because she's come up with those kinds of saves a number of times already this season," Kelly said. "That's just the type of goalkeeper she is.

"I've said it once, I've said it a million times, she's the best goalkeeper in the country and I think people are starting to realize that."

The Lady Vols (7-1-1, 2-0-0 SEC) took an early lead in the SEC Eastern Division with Georgia, while Florida (4-4-2, 0-2-0) dropped to an unfamiliar spot at the bottom.

The Gators were the preseason favorites to win the SEC in a poll of league coaches.

"It's a terrific win anytime you play Florida," Kelly said. "They're the reigning SEC champions and they have a fabulous program."

Johnson, a junior from Dayton, Ohio, made one diving save after another. Florida had 23 shots on goal to UT's 10.

Johnson's 11 saves were the fourth-most in a game by a Lady Vols' goalkeeper.

"I just have to come out and be ready every game," Johnson said. "I don't put one game above the other. I'm just glad that as a team we were able to shut them out."

Her first save came in the second minute.

Florida's Ameera Abdullah broke loose on the left side and fired a shot toward Johnson, who made a diving catch.

It was the start of a long day for Florida, which is 0-2 in the conference for the first time in the program's 13-year history.

"I just think Jaimel played a terrific game," Florida coach Becky Burleigh said. "She was the difference in the game."

Rossi, a junior from Pennington, N.J., was again bad news for the Gators. As a freshman in 2005, she had two assists in UT's 2-1 victory, and last year she scored both goals in a 2-1 victory at Florida.

Both of her goals Sunday came in the first half.

"I think it's just coincidence," Rossi said of her success against Florida. "I just happened to get two (goals) last year and two this year. My teammates support me so much and get me the ball where I need it."

Her first goal Sunday came off an assist by senior defender Erica Griffin in the fifth minute.

Griffin booted the ball downfield beyond the Gators' defense. As Rossi raced toward the ball, Florida goalkeeper Meghan Berlingo came out of goal. Rossi barely beat Berlingo to the ball and shot from about 25 yards.

"The ball was bouncing and the goalie came out, and I just volleyed it over her head," Rossi said.

Rossi's second goal came in the 20th minute. Mick Imgram passed to Rossi on the left side and Rossi fired a shot past Berlingo for a 2-0 lead.

Johnson had seven saves at halftime.

"It definitely helps a lot, scoring early, because it puts a lot of pressure on the other team and gets them down early," Johnson said. "But at the same time, you still have a whole game to play and you can't get too excited over one goal."

Former Gator: Katie Green, a former Farragut High School standout, transferred from Florida to East Tennessee State University before the start of this season.

Green was a part-time starter for Florida as a freshman in 2005, but lost some playing time in 2006. She played in 21 of 25 games with no starts in 2006, averaged 21.3 minutes per game, and finished with one goal and two assists.