VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State soccer team pressured Auburn-Montgomery with nine shots in Sunday's non-conference season opener, but one AUM goal in the first half proved to be the difference, as VSU fell 1-0 to the Warhawks.
 
Ruby Mendez served as the Warhawks' primary threat throughout the entire match, firing off a team-high six shots and three shots on goal. Her decisive strike came at the 17:14 mark in the first half when she buried a shot into the right corner for her first goal of the season.
 
With the exception of Mendez's one score, Blazer goalkeeper Alyssa Curtis posted a solid effort with five saves and received some help late in the second half when fellow defender Aubree Denton cleared a deflection as it rolled toward the goal.
 
Valdosta State saw a few opportunities in the contest, including a pair of threatening back-to-back shots in the second half off the foot of Mallory McDaniel. Warhawk keeper Taylor Kitchens was up to the challenge, however, and turned away five shots on goal by the Blazers to record her first shutout of the 2016 season.
 
With the loss, the Blazers fell to 0-1 on the year. Meanwhile, the victory for AUM represented their first of the season to start the team off at 1-0.
 
Valdosta State will return to action on Wednesday, September 7^th, with a road matchup against Clayton State in Morrow, Ga. Stay tuned to www.vstateblazers.com to follow VSU soccer as the season continues.