VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's soccer team opened the 2018 season with a convincing 5-0 shutout of Albany State Friday evening at the Soccer Complex.  Junior Ashley Lewis and freshman Lauren Hicks each had two goals in the victory.  
 
 
THE BASICS:

• Score:Valdosta State 5, Albany State 0
• Records:Valdosta State 1-0, Albany State 0-1
• Location:Valdosta, Ga.

 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In a game completely dominated by VSU, Lewis got things started with a goal in the 25th minute as she got an assist from sophomore Lexie Hall for a 1-0 lead.  It was the first of Hall's two assists on the night.
• Moments later, junior Riley Tennant scored her first goal of the season and Lewis added her second score as the Lewis/Hall duo hooked up once again in the 33^rdminute as VSU scored three goals within a matter of 8:56.  
• Hicks scored her first goal as a Blazer in the 44^thminute as she was assisted from freshman Ireland Jarvis and a 4-0 lead.
• With just 34 seconds left in the match, Hicks found the back of the net once again for a 5-0 final.

 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

•  VSU outshot Albany State 26-2 and 11-0 in corner kicks.
• There were a combined five fouls in the match and just one infraction on the Blazers.
• Lewis had a game-high eight shots with three on frame and two goals, while Hicks had four shots and three on goal with two scores.
• Hall tallied two shots and one on frame with two assists, while Tennant converted on her lone attempt.  
• In goal, VSU started sophomore Caroline Embler who played 77:56 minutes with one save, while freshman Samantha Blanford saw action in the final 12:04.  
• VSU improved to 2-0 all-time against Albany State and has outscored the Golden Rams 11-0 in the two meetings to open each of the past two seasons.  

 
 
UP NEXT: 

• VSU travels to Morrow, Ga., for a match with Clayton State Sunday at 6 p.m.  
• Fans can access live stats and streaming links of the match at www.vstateblazers.comon the women's soccer schedule page.