MORROW, Ga. – Valdosta State senior Ana Moleka recorded her first hat trick as the women's soccer team played to a 3-3 draw at Clayton State Thursday afternoon in the season-opener for both teams.
 
The hat trick marked the first for the Blazers since junior Molly Wooldridge scored three goals in an 8-0 victory over Shorter on Sept. 23, 2022.  It was the ninth hat trick in program history as Moleka is the seventh different Blazer to record the feat.  Former Blazer standout Ashley Lewis scored a school-record four goals against Spring Hill College on Sept. 29, 2017.  She also had a hat trick against Auburn Montgomery on Sept. 29, 2019.
 
The Lakers came out firing as Amiah Sprunger-Hightower scored just 2:16 into the contest on an assist from Serwaah Danso for the early lead.  From there, the Blazers settled down and used a good shot from junior Jocelyn Oballe, but CSU goalkeeper Lisa Kelm was up to the task.  Moleka knotted the match at 1-1 in the 24^th minute and then just under ten minutes later scored off an assist from junior jAnsley Decenzo for a 2-1 lead. 
 
Clayton State would have the answer, however, as the Lakers scored just over four minutes later, on a score from Carrie Consolino for a 2-2 tie at intermission.  Both teams played an even first half with three shots a piece, while CSU had the one save.  VSU freshman goalkeeper Tori Vliet played the first half in her first collegiate match for the Blazers. 
 
The Blazers came out of the gates quickly in the second half as Moleka registered her third score of the game just 3:30 into the half and the second assist from Decenzo.  VSU had five shots in the second half to the Lakers' six.  VSU had some good looks early in the final stanza following Moleka's go ahead score, but were unable to capitalize. 

In the 83^rd minute, CSU tied the match with a goal from Chloe Flannaghan off junior goalkeeper Emma Pruett who played the second half.  Pruett finished with two saves in the half and the one goal allowed.  VSU had eight shots with six on target for the match, while Clayton State finished with nine shots and five on frame.
 
Individually, Moleka had a team-high four shots and three on frame with the three scores in 65 minutes off the bench, while Decenzo came off the bench with two assists in 46 minutes.  For CSU, three different players recorded goals and Kelm had three saves.
 
The Blazers and Lakers now are 3-3-1 all-time in seven meetings.  VSU heads to Georgia Southwestern for a 7 p.m. match Saturday, before returning home to host No. 10-ranked Embry-Riddle next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the VSU Soccer Complex.