VALDOSTA, Ga. – Coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in the final minute of regulation at Clayton State on Sunday, the Valdosta State women's soccer team returns home to host Florida Southern on Friday evening at the Soccer Complex at 7 p.m., in a key regional contest.  VSU then travels to Florida Tech for a Sunday match beginning at 12 p.m. in another regional contest.
 
Fans can access links to live stats, ticket information and streaming at www.vstateblazers.com on the women's soccer schedule page.
 
VSU opened the season last Friday evening with a 5-0 shutout of Albany State.  In that game, junior Ashley Lewis scored two goals as did freshman Lauren Hicks.  VSU tallied 26 shots with 12 on frame, while holding ASU to just two shots and one on goal. The Blazers had 11 corner kicks in the contest and didn't allow a corner kick by the Golden Rams.  VSU sophomore keeper Caroline Embler and freshman Samantha Blanford combined for the shutout win.
 
On Sunday, the Blazers had numerous chances for a breakthrough goal, but were unable to get anything in the back of the net.  VSU outshot Clayton State 12-10 and 8-5 in shots on goal with both teams recording five corner kicks.  Lewis had three shots with two on frame to the lead the team.
 
Embler recorded four saves and stopped a penalty kick, the first of her career, late in the game to preserve a scoreless tie to that point.  At the 89:41 mark, Manoly Baquerizo scored off a corner kick from Moa Loftman for the game winner. 
 
For the season, VSU has scored five goals on 38 shots, along with 20 shots on frame and four assists. VSU has 16 corner kicks and allowed five, while recording five saves. Individually, Hicks and Lewis each lead the team with two goals.  Lewis has 11 shots to lead the team with five on frame and the one game winner.  Junior Riley Tennant has one goal on the year, while sophomore Lexie Hall has two assists on the year.  Freshmen Hannah Swenson and Ireland Jarvis each have one assist. 
 
Between the pipes, Embler 1-1 on the year with an 0.54 goals against average in two starts.  She has logged 167:56 minutes with five saves and one combined shutout, while facing 11 shots.  Blanford has played in one game for 12:04 minutes.  
 
Nationally speaking, the Blazers are second in the Gulf South Conference in scoring offense at 2.5 goals per game and49th nationally.  They are 49^thnationally and second in the league in points per game (7.0) and second in the GSC in assists with four, ranking 36^thnationally.  The five goals scored ranks second in the GSC and 40^thnationally, while the 14 points also is second in the league and 44^thnationally.  
 
Individually, Embler is fourth in the league in goals against average at 0.500, while she is fifth in save percentage at 0.833.  Hall is 15^thnationally and second in the league in assists with two, while Hicks and Lewis are 30^thnationally and fourth in the league in goals with two each.  
 
Florida Southern enters with a 2-2 record defeated Lynn (Fla.) Wednesday evening by the score of 3-0. In that game, the Mocs used goals from Tatum Albrecht for a 1-0 lead at halftime, while Florida Southern added two more scores in the second half with goals from Rachel Peck and Kaitlyn Svopa.  Goalkeper Noelle Rolfsen posted a shutout with five saves and one team save.
 
For the season, the Mocs have scored seven goals and have two shutouts on the season.  This will be the Mocs' fourth-straight road game. Leading the way for the Mocs this season is Anna Griessler who has two goals on 15 shots, five on frame and one game winner goal.  Alexa Moberly leads the team with two assists.  In goal Rolfsen has logged all 360 minutes, allowing five goals (1.25 GAA) with 12 saves and is 2-2 with two shutouts.
 
The Mocs were picked sixth in the preseason Sunshine State Conference poll after finishing 8-3-4 last season.
 
Florida Tech played at No. 13 Minnesota State, losing 3-2 after the Panthers led 1-0 at halftime and 2-1 midway through the second half.  Minnesota State scored the game winner with 38 seconds left in regulation.  
 
The Panthers are 0-2-1 on the year and host Delta State Friday, before welcoming the Blazers Sunday afternoon. FIT has scored five goals on the year with 42 shots and 21 on frame.  Keira McCarthy leads the team with two goals, while Maria Munoz has two assists to lead the team. In goal, Maria Sanchez Recuero has logged all 290 minutes, allowing nine goals (2.79 GAA), with 23 saves on the season.
 
Florida Tech was picked tied for fourth in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll released earlier this season.  FIT was 9-8-3 last season.  The Panthers won the SSC Conference Tournament and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA regional.