MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Montevallo women's soccer picked up its first conference win of the season after defeating Valdosta State, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon.
 
On a humid afternoon, Montevallo looked to strike early with Falcon wingback Tori Ochoa taking the first shot by either side just 25 seconds into the match. Ochoa managed to put a shot on frame in the 22^nd minute for Montevallo's best scoring chance early on but the VSU keeper turned the ball away.
 
Multiple substitutions in the 30^th and 31^st minutes sparked the Falcons attack. Freshman forward Morgan Goehring scored her first career goal on a spectacular solo effort to take control of the ball and fire a shot on goal that found the mark in the 32^nd minute.
 
Senior goalkeeper Emily Hounsell was forced to make her first stop of the afternoon in the 35^th minute after a shot from the Lady Blazers following a pair of Falcon defensive miscues.
 
Junior midfielder Bailey Raphelt nearly doubled Montevallo's lead heading into the half with a shot off the volley that sailed just over the crossbar for a VSU goal kick.
 
Out of the break, the Falcons' defense was put to the test in the early stages with Hounsell making another save just 7:13 into the second half.
 
Besides VSU controlling possession in the final 20 minutes, the Falcon back line held strong, allowing just three shots on goal, including one that nearly tied the game at the buzzer.
 
A team save in the 90^th minute secured Montevallo's first Gulf South Conference win of the season.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 1 | Valdosta State 0
Records: Montevallo 4-1-1 | Valdosta State 3-1-2
Location: Varsity Field | Montevallo, Ala.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
1' | Ochoa fires the first shot of the match.
22' | Ochoa makes the VSU keeper work with the first Falcon shot on goal of the day.
32' | Goerhing puts the Falcons out in front with an incredible solo play in the box.
45' | Hounsell makes a save in the closing moments of the half to keep UM in the lead.
52' | Hounsell keeps the Lady Blazers off the board with her third stop of the day.
90' | VSU nearly ties it at the buzzer but a team save from UM secures the victory.
 
GAME NOTES

• Montevallo took 11 shots compared to nine from the Lady Blazers, but VSU held the advantage in shots on goal with a 5-4 mark.
• Valdosta State was awarded four corner kicks, all of which came in the second, while the Falcons took just two on the day.
• Goehring scored her first career goal for the Falcons, the only goal of the day.
• The Falcons were issued two yellow cards for the game.

 
UP NEXT: Montevallo goes on the road for the next two contests, the first of which is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. in Rome, Ga. as the Falcons take on Shorter.