VALDOSTA, Ga.--- The Mississippi College women's soccer team defeated Valdosta State 4-0 on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 4th). MaryElla White picked up a brace on the afternoon with two goals, plus Erin Hederman and Margherita Giubilato scored goals as well. MC improved to 9-2 (6-1 GSC) on the year, while the Blazers fell to 3-6-1 (2-5 GSC). It was also announced on Tuesday afternoon that the Lady Choctaws moved up to #19 in the latest edition of the United Soccer Coaches poll. 

MaryElla White got the scoring started for MC in the 11th minute. Caroline Naman played the ball into White in the box. White then put a nice finish past the keeper to put MC ahead 1-0.

Erin Hederman then doubled MC's lead shortly after. She drew a Penalty Kick in the 13th minute after she drew a foul in the box. She then stepped up and converted the PK herself to push the lead to 2-0. The goal marks Hederman's 10th of the season, which leads the team. She is the first MC player on the season to reach double digit goals, and is just the second Lady Choctaw to do so since 2016. 

That 2-0 lead would remain until the half. In the opening 45, MC outshot Valdosta State 9-5. MC also held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.

White then scored her second goal of the contest with a golazo in the 63rd minute to extend the lead to 3-0. White pulled from deep and put a great shot past the keeper from distance. The two goals in the contest are White's first two goals of the season. 

Margherita Giubilato then put the match away in the 75th minute with a penalty kick. Giubilato drew the PK herself in the box, and then stepped up and put it home to extend the lead to the ultimately final score of 4-0. The goal is Giubilato's fourth of the season.

MC would see out the match from there, winning 4-0. Overall for the match, MC outshot the Blazers 17-12. MC also had an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.

MC goalkeeper Sara Maleski picked up her 5th clean sheet of the season as she made five saves in net. The five clean sheets is a career high as her career record improves to 20-5-2.

In the coaches poll, MC moves up to 19th after checking in at #21 last week. The rankings did not take Tuesday's match into consideration as only results through Monday were considered. The Valdosta State match will factor into next week's rankings. Sunday's 2-1 win over West Georgia was the only match considered this week for MC. 

MC is one of three GSC teams represented in the coaches poll rankings. MC trails Lee University (#11), and is now being joined by West Florida (#25) who jumped into the rankings this week. The Lady Choctaws are also the third highest ranked team in the South Region in the rankings, behind Lee and Embry-Riddle (ranked #2 nationally). The full United Soccer Coaches poll can be found here:https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-dii-women/

The Lady Choctaws have now won five straight matches, and have won eight of their last nine matches total. 

Next up, MC will take on Delta State on Saturday (Oct. 8th) in Cleveland, Miss. Delta State currently sits 8-5 (5-3 GSC) on the year.