VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State women's soccer team efforts were finally rewarded, as the Blazers beat non-conference opponent Clayton State University 2-1 on Tuesday night at The VSU Soccer Complex.

During the first twenty minutes the Lakers proved to be a tough opponent with a very compact defense and fast forwards who pushed the Blazers to the edge. After chances on both sides and another significant performance of VSU goalkeeper McCall Gardner (6 saves on the night), freshman Madison Cutts stepped up and surprised everyone with a booming shot from 25-yards for her first career goal at the 35:27 mark to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead heading into half time.

In the second half, the Blazers kept up their great defense and looked for chances to widen the gap. Forward Logan Lindy took three shots on the goal of Clayton State's Charlotte McCormack. Although, she did not connect, her efforts would not go unnoticed. Before the final quarter of the game, the Lakers, led by Siobhan Wilson, increased the pressure. But before the Lakers could even up the score, Lindy pulled off another gutsy sideline cross with just over ten minutes to play in regulation, which ended up being the perfect assist for Cutts' header, her second goal of the night.

Just two minutes after the Blazers took a 2-0 lead, the Lakers began a comeback attempt when Maria Marti Bartis converted a pass from Wilson for a score, but the Blazer defense held the rest of the way.During the final minutes, the Blazers took control of the game and beat the clock to secure the first win of the 2015 season.

The VSU women's soccer team will now travel to Memphis, Tenn. to play conference rival Christian Brothers Friday, September 18^th at 6:00 p.m., before hosting Delta State on Sunday, Sept. 20^th at 1:00 p.m.