VALDOSTA, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern State University women's soccer needed just seven seconds to accomplish something it had never done against Valdosta State University, then battled the Blazers to a 2-2 draw Wednesday evening at the VSU Soccer Complex.
Taelyn Townsend scored seven seconds after the opening whistle and
Zoie St. John added another goal in the 22nd minute as the Lady Hurricanes (1-1-2) earned their first result in five all-time meetings with Valdosta State.
The two goals were also the first GSW has scored in the series after being shut out in each of the previous four meetings.
GSW wasted no time changing that.
Jordin Gundin connected with Townsend almost immediately following the opening whistle, and Townsend found the back of the net just seven seconds into the match to give the Lady Hurricanes a 1-0 advantage.
Valdosta State (1-1-1) responded by applying heavy pressure over the next several minutes. GSW goalkeeper
Hannah Garrett made three saves before Kyndal Smith pulled the Blazers even in the 13th minute off an assist from Kaitlyn Scherer.
The Lady Hurricanes answered less than nine minutes later.
Cassidy Brunner put a shot on goal that VSU goalkeeper Adrienne Cardona-Colon stopped, but St. John capitalized on the opportunity and scored at the 21:06 mark to put GSW back in front, 2-1. Brunner was credited with the assist.
The goal was St. John's team-leading second of the season, while Gundin and Brunner each recorded their first assist of the fall.
Valdosta State responded again in the 34th minute when Sarah Hudson scored off an assist from Natalie Ocampo to level the match at 2-2.
After four goals in the opening 34 minutes, neither side was able to break through over the remaining 56.
GSW generated the majority of the opportunities following halftime, outshooting Valdosta State 7-2 in the second period. Townsend had a pair of attempts in the opening five minutes before Gundin forced a save from Cardona-Colon in the 60th minute.
The Lady Hurricanes continued to press late.
Riley Pearson put an attempt on frame in the 80th minute, and GSW earned three corner kicks over the final 17 minutes, including one with less than three minutes remaining, but could not find the go-ahead goal.
Meanwhile, Garrett and the GSW defense held the Blazers to just two second-half shots. Garrett stopped both, including a Kayleigh Kearns attempt in the 86th minute, to preserve the draw.
Garrett finished with seven saves in her first start of the season.
GSW held a 13-11 advantage in shots for the match after Valdosta State owned a 9-6 edge in the opening half. The Lady Hurricanes put six attempts on goal and finished with a 9-8 advantage in corner kicks.
Townsend and St. John led GSW with three shots apiece, while Gundin added two.
Next Up
- The Lady Hurricanes make their shortest trip of the season when they head to Columbus State University on Saturday for 5 p.m. match to open Peach Belt Conference play.
