VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's soccer team opened Gulf South Conference play with a double-overtime draw, 0-0, with No. 9 West Florida Friday night at the VSU Soccer Complex. The match marked the second overtime game of the season for the Blazers and was the first match against a ranked team since the 2019 fall season, where the Blazers defeated No. 17 Lee 2-0.

The match is VSU's fourth draw in program history against the Argos, with the most recent draw in the 2017 fall season, and the overall series record moved to 1-8-4.
 
The Blazers weathered the Argos' dominating offense in the first half. UWF outshot VSU 11-1 in the first 45 minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net. Junior goalkeeper Samantha Blanford was between the posts the entire game for the Blazers and recorded 11 saves, including six in the first half, four in the second half and saving a potential game-winning shot in the first period of overtime.
 
The Blazers' offense grew in the late minutes of the first half. Junior midfielder Lyanna Steele recorded the Blazers' only shot in the first half in the 45th minute, but the Argos' goalkeeper Charline Favier saved the shot.
 
In the second half, the Blazers held on strong both offensively and defensively, holding the Argos to only six shots on goal.

The Argos kept pushing in the second half but couldn't capitalize on the chances, recording a staggering 12 corner kicks.
 
In the 90th minute, freshman forward Ansley Decenzo had a potential game-winning shot, with her only shot of the game, but was saved point-blank by West Florida's Kelsey Brann and eventually brought the end of regulation to 0-0.
 
Tensions started to rise in the overtime periods of the match with creative ball movement on both sides of the field. Junior midfielder Lyana Steele picked up a yellow card in the 98th minute, marking her second yellow card of the season.
 
To end the match, VSU had a game-winning chance with Kyleigh Reedy's shot in the 104th minute, but was just over the net.  The Argos bounced back and also had a game-winning chance in the 106th minute with an open goal, but UWF's Peyton Peffers skyed the ball over the net ending the game 0-0.
 
The Blazers move to 3-1-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in GSC conference play while the No. 9 Argos move to 4-0-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in GSC play. 
 
Looking forward, The Blazers have a quick turnaround, with their next match on Sunday, September 26, against Spring-Hill College at the VSU Soccer Complex at 1 p.m. to end a four-game homestand. After taking on the Badgers, the Blazers will travel to Rome, Georgia to take on Shorter October 1 at 7 p.m. To stay up to date on Blazer soccer, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Blazer Athletics on social media.