CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University women's soccer team made program history Sunday afternoon, earning its first-ever tournament victory with a 1-0 shutout over Valdosta State at Parker Field at McCool Stadium.
The historic win came in a tightly contested matchup between the Lady Statesmen and Blazers, with both teams battling through a scoreless first half. Delta State created several opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, recording eight shots while holding Valdosta State to five. Goalkeeper
Kim Bircher and the Lady Statesmen defense kept the Blazers off the scoreboard to send the match into halftime tied 0-0.
After a scoreless opening stretch in the second half, Delta State finally broke through in the 70th minute.
Caroline Chandler delivered the decisive goal at the 69:36 mark, finding the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season to give the Lady Statesmen a 1-0 advantage.
With the lead secured, Delta State turned its attention to protecting the advantage. Bircher came up with several important saves down the stretch, finishing with five saves across 90 minutes to earn her seventh victory of the season and her fourth shutout.
Valdosta State continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes, but the Lady Statesmen defense held firm, preserving the clean sheet and securing the historic tournament victory.
Delta State finished with 12 shots, including seven on goal, compared to 13 shots and five on target for the Blazers. The Lady Statesmen also earned four corner kicks while maintaining an even 50% possession share.
Chandler led the way with the game-winning goal, while
Janya Gonzalez and
Mariela Dolan each recorded three shots. Bircher anchored the defensive effort with five saves as Delta State recorded its first tournament victory in program history.
The 1-0 result moves the Lady Statesmen on to the Semifinals where they'll face the no. 1 seeded Falcons from the University of Montevallo Friday at 3:00 p.m., in the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex in Huntsville, Ala.
