Box Score
CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen fell to Valdosta State Friday afternoon, dropping the conference opener in a 1-0 loss.
The Lady Statesmen (1-1-0, 0-1-0 Gulf South Conference) had chances late but were unable to match the Lady Blazers (2-0-0, 1-0-0 GSC) first half goal.
Delta State found themselves in a close battle with the Lady Blazers, the defending GSC runner-ups, in the first half. After a few early shots by Valdosta State, the Lady Statesmen counter with a pair of early chances.
Michelle Laurenzi had a shot high midway through the first half and
Charlotte Benson followed it up with another scoring chance off a corner kick, also missing high, just over the crossbar.
Valdosta State countered late in the first half with a few quick shots. Lady Statesmen goalkeeper
Kelsey Elling made a pair of tough saves, but the Lady Blazers scored on their final shot of the half.
Rebecca Bonilla put the Lady Blazers on the board with a strike, off a cross into the box from Erin Hill, in the upper corner of the goal.
The Lady Statesmen reloaded in the second half and added a couple more chances.
Tais Cotta made a strike in the 77th minute, but the Lady Blazers goalkeeper Olivia Mills came up with a big save.
Moments later,
Michele Nagel had a scoring chance with a shot that was blocked by a Valdosta State defender.
With about five minutes remaining,
Payten Pearson had another chance for the Lady Statesmen on a near breakaway, but was defended before being able to get a shot off.
Valdosta State held on in the final minutes to secure the win in the opening conference game of the season.
Elling finished with five saves on six shots on goal in the game.
Each team finished with two corner kicks opportunities in the game and 12 fouls.
Meredith Wilkes received a yellow card for the Lady Statesmen in the match, her first of the season.
The Lady Statesmen will look to rebound Sunday afternoon when they host the Wolves of West Georgia at Delta Field at 1 p.m. The Wolves (1-2-0, 1-0-0 GSC) are coming off a 1-0 win over Christian Brothers today.
