Next Game: at Texas A&M 10/5/2017 | 7 p.m. CT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama women's soccer battled, but fell short on Thursday night to No. 25 Tennessee at the Alabama Soccer Complex. The Vols (10-1-1, 2-1-1 SEC) outshot the Crimson Tide (8-4-1, 0-3-1 SEC), 18-12, in the contest.

"I think that the slow start for us was the difference in the game," head coach Wes Hart said. "The lack of energy that we brought to the game didn't help us, but we have to give Tennessee credit. They're a great team and they came out with a fighting spirit, and were ready to compete. They took control in the first half, and in the second half I thought we did better, but by that time it was too late."

Tennessee tallied two first-half goals that put Alabama on its heels in the opening stanza. The Vols struck first in the 19th minute, with a goal setup in the penalty area and extended its lead in the 37th minute with an unassisted goal.

Down by two scores, Alabama came out of the locker room in the second half with a renewed energy, striking two shots on goal in the first three minutes of the period.

Junior Elena Zang , registered her first shot of the season in the 54th minute, firing one from inside the box that was blocked wide. In the 62nd minute, freshman Casey Wertz knocked a header just wide, which was setup beautifully by senior Hailey Brohaugh 's corner kick.

The Tide continued on the prowl in the 64th minute, when redshirt freshman Chloe Maize fired a shot 35-yards out that dinged off the crossbar.

Despite Alabama's 10-shot second half performance, Tennessee held off the Tide's attacks to register its second conference win of the season.

Maize and Wertz led Alabama's offense with three shots apiece and senior goalkeeper Kat Stratton made five saves and suffered her fourth loss of the season.

Alabama returns to the pitch on Thursday, Oct. 5 to take on No. 23 Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m. CT in College Station, Texas.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.