Written By: Kristin Whitman 

The goal became a reality for the Blazers soccer this past Sunday as they took down the North Alabama Lions for the team’s first ever Gulf South Conference championship title.

No. 10 VSU (8-2-1) upset the No. 3 UNA (10-1) team in the South Region rankings.

VSU blazed past the UNA in the first half scoring two of its goals and finishing up with the third goal in the second half to shutout the Lions 3-0.

Prior to the game on Sunday, UNA went into the match with seven shutout victories but VSU quickly showed them what they were up against when senior Zahimara Fantauzzi made a connection with a cross from Meagan Doyle and landed her third goal of the season in the first four minutes of play.

Lauren Ingram scored in the 24^th minute to record her first career goal.

In the second half, Ingram showed up again by following through with a pass from senior Abbi Edwards and putting the Blazers third goal into the back of the net.

“Everybody dreams about being that impact player,” Ingram said after being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The GSC championship game made this their sixth shutout game of the season and gave VSU an automatic spot in the upcoming South Region Tournament.

“One of my own personal goals this year has been to keep things going as long as possible for these 12 seniors,” first year head coach Rebecca Nolin said.

The team came back to Valdosta was a few All-Tournament team members along with Ingram including defender Shelby Jennings, forward Abbi Edwards and goal keeper Olivia Mills, who earned her 26th career shutout at Sunday’s game.

VSU will play GSC rival Christian Brothers on Friday in the first round of the National tournament.