VALDOSTA, Ga. – A goal by No. 21 West Florida' Mya Swinton at the 14:01 mark spoiled Valdosta State's Senior Day Sunday afternoon, 1-0.  Despite the loss, the Blazers fought valiantly in the match and had some good shots down the stretch and VSU sophomore goalkeeper Claire Timberlake came up with eight saves and stopped a penalty kick in the contest.
 
Prior to the match, VSU honored six seniors playing in their final regular season match in a Blazer uniform.  The 2023 Senior Class included; Landon Carter, Morghan Craven, Asti Luff, Courtney Magnan, Taylor Morris and Ashley Puentes.   The Blazers also honored Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard who announced his retirement in August as it is his final Senior Day for women's soccer.  Reinhard was instrumental in getting women's soccer started at VSU as the program began in 2011.  Reinhard will retire in June, 2024.
 
UWF's Ahnalie Layman had two early shots and saves from Timberlake, including a great save from on a one-on-one just 10:26 into the match.  Swinton received a long pass from Emma Beltz for a one-on-one situation and score at the 14:01 mark for a 1-0 Argo lead.  It was Swinton's team-leading ninth goal of the season.
 
The game remained 1-0 at halftime as the Blazers finished with two shots and one on target for the half, while UWF ha nine shots and five on frame.  Layman had six shots and four on goal in the first half, while Swinton had two shots with one on target and the lone goal.  Timberlake had four saves for the Blazers in the opening stanza.
 
On a very light foul on the Blazers at the 50:24 mark, Swinton took a free kick from about 20 yards out and Timberlake came up with a great save to preserve the 1-0 deficit.  Swinton was awarded a penalty kick in the 63^rd minute, but Timberlake came up with a great save to keep the Blazers in striking distance, trailing 1-0.
 
Sophomore Katherine Kimmel had a good look in the 80^th minute with a save from UWF goalkeeper Maciah Lipsey for her second save of the match.  Timberlake made two more great saves for eight for the match to that point with less than seven minutes remaining. 
 
VSU then had two great looks as Kimmel hit one from outside the box with a team save from UWF and then the rebounded shot from her sophomore sister Catherline Kimmel hit the post with just under five minutes remaining.    Blazer junior Ana Moleka had one look in the 89^th minute that went just wide of the goal as the final shot for the Blazers.
 
VSU fell to 8-5-3 overall and 6-5-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while West Florida improved to 13-1-1 overall and 10-1 in GSC play.  The Argos held a 17-7 lead in shots and a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal in a very physical contest that saw 30 fouls between the two teams and one yellow card for each team.  Timberlake finished with eight saves, while Lipsey had three for the Argos.
 
K. Kimmel finished with two shots on target to lead the team, while junior Molly Wooldridge had one shot on target.  Swinton had six shots and three on frame with the goal, while Layman had a team-high seven shots and five on target for the Argos.
 
The Blazers finish the regular season in a very important match on Friday at 5 p.m. at West Georgia as it has GSC postseason qualifying and hosting implications.  The Blazers currently are fifth in the GSC standings with 19 points, while West Georgia won 1-0 over Spring Hill College to move to fourth with 22 points.  Montevallo, who has two matches remaining and the head-to-head with VSU has 18 points as does Union, while Alabama Huntsville who also has two matches left and the head-to-head with the Blazers has 17 points.  West Alabama, who VSU tied, has 16 points with two matches remaining.  A win over West Georgia on Friday would most likely secure a berth in the conference tournament and potentially hosting duties. 
 
Check back with vstateblazers.com next week as the playoff picture becomes clearer.