VALDOSTA, Ga.– The Valdosta State women's soccer team kicks off the 2018 season Friday evening at 7 p.m. versus Albany State at the Soccer Complex.  VSU is under the direction of second-year head coach Stephen Andrew and the Blazers have high expectations for the 2018 season.  

Fans can access links to live stats and video streaming of the match at www.vstateblazers.comon the women's soccer schedule page.  Check back to www.vstateblazers.comfor a complete recap of the game. 

Similarly enough, the 2017 season opened up against the Lady Rams last year, as VSU traveled to Albany, Ga. for the Golden Rams' inaugural soccer game. In a thrilling offensive performance, the Lady Blazers defeated Albany State 6-0 and set the pace for the rest of their season. VSU finished 10-6-3 record and an 8-4-2 mark in Gulf South Conference play, earned a berth in the GSC Semifinals and narrowly missed the NCAA postseason.

Andrew was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year recognition in 2017. Excited to begin year two, the coaching staff has been working towards another successful season.  He is joined by two former collegiate soccer standouts, Susan Lang and Jenna Boersma for their second year as graduate assistant coaches for the Blazers.

The Blazers were picked fifth in the GSC Preseason Poll, while Blazer senior midfielder Taylor Snell was named to the preseason all-conference team.  Snell became the program's first All-America honoree in 2017, while sophomore Riley Tennant earned second team all-conference honors last season.  In all, VSU returns 17 players from last season. 

Albany State went 0-13 in its inaugural season in 2017 and is under the direction of head coach Alex Pickrell as she was a standout player at West Florida (2010-2014) helping lead the Argonauts to a national championship in 2012 and a runner-up finish in 2013.  Pickrell helped lead UWF to a 34-game winning streak in 2012-2013. 

Following Friday's match, the Blazers head to Morrow, Ga., for a matchup with Clayton State Sunday at 6 p.m.  The Blazers then return home to host Florida Southern Sept. 7, followed by a road trip to Florida Tech Sept. 9 in a pair of important regional matchups.  

VSU opens GSC play at Auburn Montgomery and Montevallo Sept. 14-16, before returning home to open conference play at the Soccer Complex Sept. 21 against Spring Hill College.