COCHRAN, Ga. – A goal by Valdosta State junior Taylor Youmans gave VSU a 1-0 lead in the 40^th minute of the 2025 season-opener at Middle Georgia Thursday evening, but the Knights came back with a goal from Tegan Mullins in the 86^th minute off a corner kick for a 1-1 draw. 
 
The Blazers moved to 1-0-1 all-time against Middle Georgia as they won 3-0 in the season-opener in Valdosta last season.  VSU is now 9-5-2 all-time in season-openers in the history of the program dating back to 2011. 
 
The Blazers came out as the aggressor in the first half with some good looks early in the frame as senior Caroline Kimmel had a nice shot just eight minutes in, but Middle Georgia netminder Hollie Keefe was there for the save.  Later in the half, sophomore Jenni McIntosh had a shot that sailed high and junior Kaitlyn Scherer had one saved by Keefe before Youmans scored her first goal as a Blazer at the 39:54 mark as the Blazers enjoyed the 1-0 lead at halftime.

For the half, VSU outshot Middle Georgia 7-1 and 4-1 in shots on goal, while leading 6-1 in corner kicks.  The Knights had their first and only shot of the half from Glenna Whitley at the 41:50 mark, but Blazer senior goalkeeper Claire Timberlake was up to the task for the save. 
 
The Knights had the first shot of the second half at the 51:51 mark, but it sailed high from Tegan Mullins.  Middle Georgia had a good look in the 60^th minute, but Timberlake was there for the stop, once again, preserving the 1-0 score.  MGA had a breakaway opportunity with a long shot from Safiya Dean, but fortunately for the Blazers, the ball trickled to the left of goal with less than 15 minutes remaining.  A great blocked shot by the Blazers preserved the lead as time was winding under seven minutes left and then a long save for Timberlake followed as MGA began turning up the pressure with the clock ticking down. 
 
MGA earned a corner kick, its second of the game, with just over four minutes remaining as Mullins scored off the set piece in the mixer for a 1-1 score at the 85:30 mark. 
 
For the match, MGA held a 9-8 lead in shots as it outshot the Blazers 8-1 in the second half, while outshooting VSU 6-4 in shots on target for the match.  VSU held a 7-2 lead in corner kicks.  Timberlake finished with five saves and the one goal against.  Youmans had two shots and one goal all in the first half.   Mullins had two shots and a goal for the Knights, while Keefe had one goal against and three saves.
 
VSU returns to Valdosta for the 2025 home-opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the VSU Soccer Complex versus Palm Beach Atlantic. 
 
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