VALDOSTA, Ga. – Behind a season-high eight goals and a hat trick from sophomore Molly Wooldridge, the Valdosta State women's soccer team posted an 8-0 victory over visiting Shorter University in Gulf South Conference play Friday evening at the VSU Soccer Complex.  The Blazers improved to 3-3-1 overall and 2-2 in GSC play, while Shorter fell to 0-9-1 and 0-5 in league play.
 
VSU recorded a season-high 34 shots with 19 on target for the match as Wooldridge's hat trick marked the first since former Blazer Riley Tennant had three goals on Nov. 3, 2019, at Union.  Wooldridge's hat trick also marked the eighth all-time game of three or more goals as former Blazer Ashley Lewis scored a school-record four goals on Sept. 29, 2017 against Spring Hill College.   The 34 shots were the second most in program history for VSU as the school-record is 37 set at Albany State on Sept. 8, 2021.  In addition, the eight goals on Friday evening also marked the second-most in school history.  
 
Wooldridge finished with a team-high eight shots and three on target with three scores to earn Guardian Bank Blazer Player of the Match, as six different Blazers scored goals on the night.  Sophomore Rachael Howard finished with seven shots and five on target, along with two assists.  Both sophomore Emma Pruett and junior Landon Carter split time in goal, each playing a half as Shorter had just one shot for the match and not on target.  
 
The Blazers had good looks early with five shots and three on target through the first 11 minutes, including a shot from freshman Victoria Bahr that hit off the crossbar and straight down to Shorter goalkeeper Katherine Fisher.  Moments later, VSU had a great breakaway as Wooldridge's shot sailed just right of the net as VSU continued to apply the pressure on the Hawks.  Wooldridge had two more good looks with some nifty passing by the Blazers for eight shots through the first 15 minutes of the contest.
 
The Blazers hit pay dirt with a nice pass from sophomore Taylor Morris to Wooldridge for her first score of the season at the 17:57 mark and a 1-0 Blazer lead.   Wooldridge added her second goal of the half on a great though ball from Howard at the 22:29 mark.  Under two minutes later, VSU scored its third goal of the half as Morris scored on a one-v.-one off an assist from senior Samantha Worley for a 3-0 score at the 24:26 mark.
 
Freshman Jenessa Gray got into the scoring act and her first collegiate goal putting a great shot over Fisher's head for a 4-0 lead at the 36:24 mark off an assist from senior Morghan Craven.  For the half, VSU had a season-high 19 shots and ten on target with a season-high four goal.  Wooldridge had four shots and two on frame with two goals, while four different Blazers each had an assist.  
 
Just 41 seconds into the second half, junior Ariana Colon put a great corner kick to senior Bailey Hern for a header goal and a 5-0 lead.  It was Hern's first goal of the season.  Wooldridge scored her hat trick off a rebounded shot on a team save and a 6-0 lead at the 58:58 mark as Hern notched the assist.  Moments later, senior Mallory Johnson had a nice header on a cross from Howard for a 7- 0 lead at the 62:21 mark.  It was Howard's second assist of the night.  Bahr scored her third goal of the season and second-straight game at the 74:30 mark and an 8-0 lead.
 
The Blazers continue their four-match homestand Sunday at 1 p.m. versus No. 13-ranked Lee University.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more.