Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga.— The Lady Statesmen soccer team rounded out their weekend road trip to Georgia by taking on Valdosta State Sunday afternoon. Both teams played a close match, but in the end the Blazers were able to squeak by the Lady Statesmen 1-0.

“It was a close match, and both teams worked hard,” said Statesmen head coach Paul Babba.

Neither team could break through for a goal in the first half. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Elling made four saves in the first half for the Lady Statesmen.

With the match still a scoreless draw in the second half, the Blazers (6-2, 2-0 GSC) scored the only point of the match. Blakely McCellan scored her third goal of the season in the 70th minute off a corner kick. Rebecca Miller, who took the corner kick, assisted McClellan on the goal.

The Lady Statesmen (2-6, 0-2 GSC) had some opportunities in the second half, but could not quite grab the equalizing goal.

“We had some opportunities in the second half,” Babba said. “There were a couple scrambles for the ball, and we just couldn't quite get a touch on the ball”

Elling finished the match with six saves. Goalkeeper Olivia Mills picked up the win for the Blazers.

While the Lady Statesmen dropped a couple of close matches this week, coach Babba was still impressed by some performances. 

"Michelle Laurenzi played well this weekend," Babba said. "She played most of the minutes in each match."

Up next for the Lady Statesmen is a trip to Florence, Ala. for a match against North Alabama. The match takes place on Thursday, Sept. 29 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.