VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State women's soccer senior goalkeeper Samantha Blanford and sophomore defender Samantha Worley were named the Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, announced Thursday.  
 
VSU opened the 2021 Gulf South Conference slate with two matches last week at the VSU Soccer Complex.  The Blazers tied then-No. 9 West Florida in a 0-0, double overtime thriller last Friday and then posted a 4-0 victory over Spring Hill College two days later, as both Blanford and Worley were instrumental in the results last week.
 
Blanford, a native of Winter Springs, Fla., earned GSC Defender of the Week as she recorded 184 minutes in the two matches and combined in two shutouts.  In the match against the Argos, Blanford recorded 11 saves, including six in the first half, four in the second half and saved a potential game-winning shot in the first period of overtime.  She also recorded 74 minutes in VSU's 4-0 win against the Badgers Sunday afternoon, helping the Blazers to a 4-1-1 record this season and a 1-0-1 mark in GSC play. 
 
Worley, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recorded her first collegiate goal and first for the Blazers in VSU's win over Spring Hill. She tallied three shots - two on frame, along with the one goal and combined to play 59 minutes in the two matches.
 
The Blazer soccer team returns to the road this week with matches at GSC foes Shorter on Friday, Oct. 1 and at No. 9 Lee on Sunday, Oct. 3.  The following week, VSU makes trips to Mississippi College (Oct. 8), and Delta State (Oct. 10), before returning home to battle Union on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., at the VSU Soccer Complex.
 
Blanford and Worley join freshman teammate Joselyn Oballe, who was named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athlete of the Week with Blazer junior football standout Ivory Durham on Sept. 16.  
 
For more information about Blazer Athletics, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Blazer Athletics on social media.