MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- The Georgia College Soccer Team (3-0) shut out Valdosta State University (2-1) 3-0 Friday night at Bobcat Field. 

The GC offense was stellar throughout the game scoring one goal in the first half and two in the second half to put the Bobcats on top. The dominant offensive performance could not have been possible without the defense. The backline Bobcats were strong the entire game as they kept the Blazers to nine shots through two halves. 

The first goal came in the first half off the foot of Cassie Balzano (Douglasville) in the 28th minute of the game. Ryan Smith (Sharpsburg) aided the veteran with a pass from the wing to set up the opening goal. The second goal of the match came in the 59th minute also from the offensively sound Balzano. She had six shots, four of which were on goal and two hit the back of the net. 

The final goal of the game came in the 79th minute from midfielder Becca Morris (Marietta) with Smith on the assist once again. Morris received the ball up the middle from Smith and rifled one through the legs of the goalie. The Bobcats beat the Blazers 3-0. 

The offense was on top of the shooting tonight as they had 23 shots with nine on goal and three to reach the back net compared to the nine total shots from Valdosta. The Blazers goalkeeper had six saves on the night. 

The Bobcat defense was lights-out, keeping the Valdosta State offense away from the goal and the ball on their own half of the field. The starting quartet of Ryann Smith, Sydney Charles (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Katelyn Smith (Augusta) and Taylor Salvaggio (Bethlehem), held VSU to just nine shots in the entire contest, and not a single one reached goalkeeper Kate Richardson (Marietta). 

The shutout was the sixth in Richardson's career, moving the sophomore to a tie with Annie Stephens (2014) for fourth in school history.

The soccer team is back in action Sunday, Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. to take on the University West Georgia at Bobcat Field. Live stats and the broadcast will be available at GCBobcats.com

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the 2017 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.