VALDOSTA —
Five Valdosta State soccer players have been named to the Gulf South Conference’s All-Conference team.
Senior defender Arielle Sabina and sophomore midfielder Abbi Edwards were named to the first team. Goalkeeper Olivia Mills, midfielder Leanne Bishop and forward Blakely McClellan, all sophomores, made the second team.
This season, Sabina has played 1,684 minutes — every minute of Valdosta State’s season. She finished the season with four assists from the defender position and placed five shots on goal. She leads the squad by far in corner kicks with 78 on the year. Sabina is an unquestioned leader on the Blazer squad and a big part of what the team does defensively.
Edwards was named the GSC’s Freshman of the Year last season, and has been honored again with first team recognition. She joins Sabina as Blazers who have started all 18 matches this season. She’s logged 1,257 minutes and finished the regular season with two goals and an assist for five points to tie for third on the team. Of her 21 shots on the season, 12 of them landed on goal. She has one game-winner and one overtime goal, both of which came on a goal that beat Queens on Sept. 16.
Mills has been the only goalie to play for VSU this season, and has posted nine shutouts. Mills finished the regular season with 59 saves and a .860 goals against average. She has logged 1,684 minutes and 11 seconds in goal this year (every second of VSU’s season).
Bishop has started 12 of the 14 matches played so far this season. She has played 954 minutes. Bishop scored twice, with one assist. She placed 11 shots on goal on 24 shots overall. She had one game winner, a first goal and a game-tying goal this season.
McClellan has been one of the most dangerous threats on the VSU squad this season, finishing the regular season second on the team in goals with five, giving her 10 points. She owns VSU’s only hat trick of the season, and has put 12 of her 20 shots on goal. She owns two game-winners, two first goals and a game-tying goal.
Last year, in the team’s inaugural season, the Blazers had three All-Conference selections.
West Florida led the conference this season with eight honorees, while Alabama-Huntsville had six. Both Valdosta State and North Alabama finished tied for third, with five players from each team earning the honor.
West Alabama had three players recognized, while West Georgia had two. Christian Brothers and Delta State had one player each named to the All-GSC team.
The Blazers’ All-GSC players will look to lead Valdosta State into the Gulf South Conference Tournament this week. The team’s first match comes at 8 p.m. Thursday against West Georgia.
Local Sports
Five Blazers named All-GSC
Sabina, Edwards, Mills, Bishop and McClellan earn All-Conference
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Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
