VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's soccer team is set to continue the 2021 season September 8 at 7 p.m. on the road at Albany State for its second match of the season. The Blazers are looking for their second non-conference win of the season over the Golden Rams.
VSU (1-0) is coming off a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Clayton State on Thursday, Sept. 2. Sophomore Bailey Hern recorded two goals in the season opener, including the overtime golden-goal winner. Hern's two goals, five shots and assist marked her second multi-goal match of her VSU career. Freshman Molly Wooldridge also recorded her first goal as a Blazer while also picking up one assist and three shots. Both Hern and Woolridge were named Gulf South Conference Player and Freshman of the Week, respectively, Tuesday morning for their efforts on the pitch at Clayton State.
Fifth-year head coach Stephen Andrew looks to clinch his 37th career win with VSU and extend his career win total closer to 200. Andrew currently holds a 176-77-12 record over his career.
Albany State is coming into the match with a 0-2 record, with losses this season against Georgia Southwestern University and Dalton State College.
The Blazers hold a 3-0 record over the Golden Rams, with the most recent meeting during the 2019 season where VSU came out on top 2-0 in Albany. Prior to the last meeting, the Blazers recorded a 5-0 victory during the 2018 season and a 6-0 win during the 2017 fall season.
After facing off against the Golden Rams, The Blazers will be on the road again against Georgia College on September 10 at 6 p.m., before beginning a four-game homestead beginning September 12 against North Georgia.
Gameday Storylines
Solid Keepers
The Blazers return this season with junior goalkeeper Samantha Blanford. Blanford played in three games in the 2019 season with 16 saves and a 2-0-1 record. Along with Blanford, VSU brings on freshman Emma Pruett, a native of Melbourne, Florida, freshman transfer Landon Carter, a native of Lutz, Florida, and freshman Maddie Freeman, a native of Powder Springs, Georgia.
During the 2021 spring season, Carter stepped into the lineup for the Blazers after transferring from Pasco Hernando State College in New Port Richey, Florida, and recorded an astonishing 483 minutes and 31 saves for the season.
New Freshmen Talent
With 15 newcomers, Andrew said he has a good returning core but has high expectations for the newcomers.
"I think we already have such a strong team," said freshman defender Molly Muenchen. "You have to have a good relationship off the field to have a solid team on the field, and I think we are already achieving that."
GSC Preseason All-Conference Team
Blazer soccer came in sixth in the GSC 2021 Preseason Poll and had the honor of highlighting two faces on the GSC Preseason All-Conference team this year.
Hall, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., recorded 545 minutes over seven games in the spring, and currently sits ninth all-time in VSU women's soccer history in minutes played. She scored one goal on two shots in the spring, while playing in 56 games with 48 starts for her career. Hall has scored two goals and tallied five assists for her career. She earned second-team all-league honors in 2019 and first-team accolades in 2018.
Howard, a sophomore forward and native of Walsall, England, started in all seven games her first season as a Blazer after transferring from the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut). Howard led the team with five goals and three assists on 12 shots. She was named United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week and GSC Women's Soccer Top Performance of the Week during the spring.
For more information about Blazer soccer, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Blazer Athletics on social media.
