PENSACOLA, Fla.-- No. 8 Auburn advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 SEC Soccer Tournament with a 2-1 win over No. 9 Tennessee  at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex.

First-time goal scorers this season proved to be the X-factor for Auburn as first-half goals from Becky Contreas and Haley Duca powered the comeback victory.

The first goal of the SEC Soccer Tournament came in the 17th minute with a left-footed strike from Lady Vols' Kameron Simmonds that dinked in off the post, giving UT a 1-0 lead. It was her eighth goal of the season.

Auburn leveled the score, 1-1, as Becky Contreas netted her first goal of the season with a header off of a long ball from goalie Maddie Prohaska.

Less than five minutes later, defender Haley Duca drilled an one-touch volley from outside the box off from a corner to give the Tigers the lead, 2-1. It was also Duca's first goal of the season.

First Half Quick Facts:

• Ten total shots recorded (7 Auburn, 3 Tennessee)
• Four fouls committed (1 Auburn, 3 Tennessee)
• Assist from GK Prohaska was the first in her career 

Both teams started the second half exchanging possessions and attempting to break down the defense, but both were unable to create threatening opportunities.

For the first 27 minutes of the second half, the Tigers' defense tightened up and didn't allow a single shot from UT.

In the 76th minute, forward Olivia Woodson attempted to add to Auburn's total but her shot was scooped up at the near post by goalie Ally Zazzara.

The Lady Vols were close to tying in the 84th minute as shots from Sizzy Lawton and Simmonds took multiple deflections and almost resulted in an own goal from the Tigers, 2-1.

Another chance came again in the 87th as Sarah Greiner's header off of a Simmonds' cross misses just left of the post, being the Lady Vols' final chance.

Second Half Quick Facts:

• Tennessee held the shot advantage over Auburn, 7-5 

Scoring Summary:

17' | TENN - Kameron Simmonds, 1-0
38' | AUB - Becky Contreas, 1-1
41' | AUB - Haley Duca, 2-1

Up Next: 

No. 8 Auburn will take on the SEC regular-season champs No. 1 Arkansas on Tuesday (10/31) at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

The Lady Vols will return to Knoxville and await the results of the NCAA Tournament Selection show on Monday, Nov. 6.