VALDOSTA, Ga. – A goal from Valdosta State senior Victoria Bahr in the 88^th minute lifted the Blazer women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over visiting Union University Friday evening at the VSU Soccer Complex.
 
In a very important match for the Blazers, they improved to 6-6-1 overall and 3-4-1 in Gulf South Conference play, earning the three points for the win to help keep them in the hunt for a conference tournament playoff spot.  VSU has four matches to play in the regular season.  Union fell to 6-4-2 overall and 5-2-2 in GSC play.
 
Bahr's winner came on the heels of Union scoring two goals from Irene Arias in both the 56^th minute and the 82^nd minute to level the match at 2-2.  VSU scored just 9:23 into the contest on a penalty kick goal from junior Katherine Kimmel as she improved to 3 for 3 this season on penalty kicks.  Her three converted kicks tied her for tops all-time in program history for converted PK's with former Blazers Paige Taylor and Lexie Hall, while Kimmel's three attempts tied for second all-time. 
 
The match remained 1-0 at halftime as VSU dominated much of the attack in the opening stanza for a 5-2 lead in shots as both teams had one save in the opening frame.  Union came out with more vigor in the second half and pressured the Blazers early in the final half, but junior Hunter Wallace scored her fourth team-leading fourth goal of the season on a great dish from senior Molly Wooldridge for a 2-0 lead at the 50-minute mark.  The Bulldogs began to exert their offense and just 5:54 later Arias scored her first goal of the season for a 2-1 score on an assist from Madison Wooldridge.  
 
Both teams had chances over the next 25 minutes and change, but Arias came away with the equalizer at the 81:38 mark for a 2-2 score.  Blazer junior goalkeeper Claire Timberlake had a pair of big saves late in the match prior to Bahr's goal at the 87:35 mark on an assist from senior Ana Moleka for the winner.  
 
Union held a 7-3 lead in shots in the second half and outshot the Blazers 9-8 and 8-4 in shots on goal, but Timberlake came up with five huge saves in the second half and six for the match.  Kimmel finished with two shots and one on frame with the PK, while Arias had two shots and two goals for the Bulldogs. 
 
The Blazers host Christian Brothers on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the VSU Soccer Complex for Senior Day.  Senior Day festivities will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m., as the Blazers honor eight seniors in the Class of 2024.