VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's soccer team opened the 2022 season with a 2-0 win over the Georgia College Bobcats Thursday Afternoon at the VSU Soccer Complex.  

The Blazers' original home opener, originally scheduled for Aug. 25 against Clayton State, was canceled due to inclement weather, with no makeup date announced. 

The Blazers improved to 1-0-0 on the year while the Bobcats fell to 0-2-1 on the young season.  

Blazer senior midfielder Hannah Schroeder was selected as the Guardian Player of the Match Thursday, as she recorded the opening goal of the game. Schroeder finished the match with one shot, one shot on target and a goal through 37 minutes of action. 

The power sub opened the scoring for the Blazers in the 32^nd-minute just inside the box from a through ball courtesy of sophomore Taylor Morris.  Schroeder recorded the first goal of the season for the Blazers, as well as her second career goal in red and black and her first game winner.

Morris finished the match with two looks at goal and one assist through 81 minutes of action. The Port Coquitlam, B.C. native recorded her second career assist for the Blazers.  

At the start of the match, VSU recorded five back-to-back corner kicks in the first six minutes and finished the game with 10 corners total, as the team held the Bobcats to only one corner.  

Blazer sophomore Ansley Decenzo gave the Blazers a 2-0 lead in the 52^nd minute off a solo shot up the left side. Decenzo, with her third career start for the Blazers, finished the match with her second career goal, and two shots through 53 minutes of action.  

In the 90^th minute, redshirt sophomore Rachael Howard had a point-blank shot saved to end the match. Howard, who returns to the Blazer lineup after an injury in the 2021 season, finished her return with one shot and one on frame through 25 minutes of action.  

For the match, the Blazers recorded 16 shots with nine on frame. Sophomore Emma Pruett stayed between the posts all 90 minutes for the Blazers and had two key saves in the second half to keep the clean sheet for the Blazers.  

VSU held Georgia College to only five shots, with two on target. GC's Kate Richardson recorded seven saves from the Blazer offense through 90 minutes of action.  

Sophomore Kaley Mincy led the Blazers with three shots, two of them on goal, while senior Amber Saunders finished the match with two looks at goal and one shot being on target. 

The Blazers continue the season on Sunday for the first road match of 2022, taking on Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., with the kickoff slated for 2 p.m.  

For all updates on Blazer Athletics, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Valdosta State Athletics on social media.