VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazers are coming off an action packed weekend, where five fall sports were in action across the south. This week is a big week for many of the fall sports, as conference play is starting to wrap up and the Blazers are looking to cement their spot in the Gulf South Conference.
 
Football:
The Blazers protected home field on Homecoming weekend, downing the Shorter Hawks on Saturday afternoon, 42-14. Valdosta State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play, while Shorter fell to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in league play. The Blazers were led by junior Sammy Edwards, as he tossed for 275 passing yards on 30-45 passing. He totaled four touchdowns, running for one and throwing for three. On the ground, the Blazers total 170 rushing yards, as they had five players tally five or more carriers. Valdosta native junior Travis Tisdale led the team in rushing yards, with 61 yards on five carriers, and had one reception for four yards and a touchdown. The Valdosta State defense held the Hawks in check, holding them to 341 total yards of offense, with 183 of them being on the ground and 158 through the air. Graduate student Jacob Harris led the team in tackles with eight total and four solo. The Blazers went 7 of 11 on third down, and they held the Hawks to 3 of 9 on third down. Up next, the Blazers head to Pensacola, Fla., to face West Florida on Saturday at 5 p.m. The #18 ranked Argonauts are 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, as they are coming off a big victory on the road over #5 Delta State. This weekend will give the GSC a look into who could finish on top in the conference.
 
Soccer:
The Blazers went 1-1 at home this weekend, defeating Spring Hill College 2-0 Friday night on two goals from junior Molly Wooldridge. On Sunday, Valdosta State hosted 12-1-1 West Florida on senior night. VSU had their opportunities, but ultimately fell 1-0 on a goal in the 14^th minute. This Friday, the Blazers have their biggest game of the season as they head to Carrollton, Ga. To face West Georgia in a game that will determine if they make the GSC tournament and/or have home field advantage. As it stands, VSU and UWG are both 6-5-1 in conference play, and are tied for fourth in the conference. Whoever wins the game will get home field advantage in the first round and whoever loses could very well be eliminated from participating in the conference tournament due to the GSC being so close from four to nine.
 
Men's/Women's XC:
The men's and women's cross country team went back to Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday to compete in the GSC Cross Country Championship. Lee took home first place in both men's and women's divisions. Valdosta State placed tenth in both men's and women. Graduate student Logan Kraus led the men's squad and finished in 27th. Sophomore Matthew Herndon clocked a PR time of 27:33.8 and placed 67^th. For the women, senior Katie LaCroix clocked a PR of 19:05.8 and finished in 26^th.  The Blazers look to continue their season next weekend in Montevallo, Alabama, as they compete in the NCAA DII South Regional. Updates will follow.
 
Volleyball:
Volleyball finished their weekend in Orlando going 0-3 in the GSC/SSC Regional Crossover. The SSC dominated the GSC, going 28-5 over the weekend at Game Point Events Center. The Blazers look to put the weekend behind them as they go back to conference play this week, hosting Auburn Montgomery on Wednesday night at The Complex for a pink out at 6 p.m. The Blazers then head to West Florida on Saturday to play the Argonauts at 1:30 p.m.

Golf:
The men's golf team will compete in the Copperhead Championship hosted by West Florida on Monday and Tuesday in Innisbrook, Fla. The Blazers are coming off a 12^th place finish in the Hurricane Invitational last week. After the event, freshman Alex Nilehn earned GSC Freshman of the Week honors. He earned this award after carding a 74, 69, and 74 for a 217 score in the 54-hole tournament. His 69 was the lowest by a Blazer all season as it was his second collegiate tournament of his career.

For all updates on VSU Athletics, please visit vstateblazers.com