VALDOSTA, Ga. –  The Valdosta State women's soccer team defeated the Union Bulldogs 2-0 Friday night to remain undefeated at home in the 2021 season. The Blazers improve to 7-3-1 on the year and 4-2-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while Union falls to 2-9 and 2-7 in GSC play. 
 
The Blazers' offense got busy early in the first half, with a shot by graduate defender Lexie Hall denied by Union's Bryson Lee in the 14^th minute. The Blazers finally got on the board in the 33^rd minute from a build-up through ball by sophomore Mallory Johnson to find sophomore Bailey Hern outside the six to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Hern recorded her fourth goal of the season and finished the game with three shots and two on frame. 
 
"It always feels good to find the back of the net and get another goal to add to my career," Hern said. "I had a great assist by Mallory, and it's always important at this point in the season to pick up a home win, and hopefully, we can pick up another one on Sunday."
 
Four minutes later, freshman Jocelyn Oballe tallied another goal for the Blazers in the 37^th minute, rebounding a shot from Amber Saunders, who deflected a shot off the woodwork. Oballe recorded her third goal of the season and picked up two shots with one on frame. 
 
"This team is like family to me," Oballe said. "Scoring another goal this season is incredible to me, and it's also an amazing feeling. This team has been super supportive of me my first year, and I'm excited for the season moving forward." 
 
VSU rounded out the first 45 minutes outshooting Union 12-1, only allowing the Bulldogs to record one shot in the 25^thminute from Lilly Ludwig. 
 
Freshman goalkeeper, and this week's GSC Freshman Player of the Week, Emma Pruett, was between the posts the entire 90 minutes in her second start of the season and recorded one save in three shots faced to preserve her second collegiate shutout and the team's fifth shutout overall. Her record moves to 2-0-0 on the season in 218:49 minutes played. 
 
In the second half, the Blazers' offense and defense continued to dominate, holding Union to only two shots, while recording nine. In the 51^st minute, Johnson almost capitalized on a shot right inside the box but was just over the goal. 
 
VSU finished the match with 21 shots, 10 on frame, while the Bulldogs recorded three shots and one on frame. The Blazers move to 6-1-2 all-time with the Bulldogs and 3-0-2 at home. Freshman forward Molly Wooldridge recorded three shots, one on frame, while sophomore Amber Saunders finished the match picking up two shots with one on frame. 
 
The Blazers turn around and host Christian Brothers on October 17 at 1 p.m. at the VSU Soccer Complex for the second game this weekend. To stay up to date on Blazer Soccer, visit, vstateblazers.com or follow Blazer Athletics on social media.