Valdosta State women’s soccer team (7-3) will travel to Florence, Ala. to face North Alabama (9-2) this Sunday following their first conference loss last week to powerhouse West Florida.

VSU’s 5-0 shutout on the road drops them to 3-1 and keeps UWG perfect in Gulf South conference play.

The Blazers were held to only two shots on goal compared to the Argonauts’ 12 shots.

VSU Head Coach Mel Heinz believes her team wasn’t as mentally prepared as they should have been against such a good squad.

“I think the pressure of trying to beat the number one team in the conference was on their minds,” Heinz said. “I just think they capitalized on our mistakes and we didn’t capitalize on theirs.”

The Blazers plan to bounce back this weekend to avoid losing two crucial conference games in a row.

It will be a huge test for the club in their attempt to recover from the demoralizing loss as they get back on the road to take on another competitive GSC team in UNA.

UNA forwards Jennifer Osmond and Chloe Roberts will be leading the Lions on offense Sunday putting the Blazers defense to the test again a week later.

“We know their middies and forwards are going to challenge us strong,” Heinz said. “If we are mentally taking breaks and not finding our marks quickly it will be the same results West Florida did on us.”

Osmond was awarded GSC soccer player of the week last week and Roberts has already broken the UNA career scoring mark in only two seasons.

VSU forward Rebecca Miller, who leads the team in assists and points, knows her team can compete with the best of them.

“We just need to realize that we don’t get these games back,” Miller said. “One game at a time.”

VSU has already impressed many despite playing just their first season ever currently tied for first place in the conference.

Coach Heinz has expressed to her team since the first day of camp to never let age be an excuse for failure.

“Just because you’re freshman doesn’t mean you aren’t supposed to win,” Heinz said.

The match versus UNA will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, and the Blazers return home Wednesday to face-off against USC-Aiken.