Athletics teams gear up for fall seasons

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) fall sports teams are entering their 2022 seasons with high hopes.

Coming off an NCAA tournament appearance and a 10-6-1 record in fall 2021, the women's soccer team was picked third in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and opens the season at home at 1 p.m. Aug. 25 against UNC Pembroke. Head coach Kayley Ralton enters her second year in the permanent role after a 7-3 mark as interim coach in spring 2021.

The men's soccer team, picked fifth in the PBC, will welcome Lee University in its 7 p.m. Aug. 25 opener. Head coach Patrice Parris is starting his 16th season leading the program.

All rounds of both PBC soccer tournaments will be held at the campus of the highest seeded team in each game, with the women's tournament Oct. 28, Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 and the men's tournament Oct. 25, Oct. 28, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.

The UNG women's cross-country team, picked second in the PBC, is coming off its fourth consecutive second-place finish at the PBC championship as it enters its third year with head coach Chris England. It starts the fall at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 when it hosts the 10th annual UNG Cross-Country Invitational on the Gainesville Campus. The PBC cross-country championship is Nov. 5 in Beech Island, South Carolina.

Both UNG golf teams will be in action this fall ahead of their championship season in the spring.

The men's golf team, coached by Director of Golf Bryson Worley, starts its fall slate Sept. 12-13 at the Lander Fall Invitational and wraps up its six fall tournaments Oct. 31-Nov. 1 by hosting the ninth annual UNG Fall Invitational at Achasta Golf Club in Dahlonega, Georgia.

The women's golf team, coached by Sierra Campbell, begins the fall Sept. 19-20 at the Dallas Baptist University Women's Classic, and it hosts the ninth annual LeeAnn Noble Memorial from Oct. 10-11 at Achasta Golf Club as part of its four fall tournaments.

"We are looking forward to a great year for our soccer teams. We have a strong balance of veteran leaders and newcomers," Mary Rob Plunkett, UNG director of athletics, said. "In cross-country, we have a lot of experienced runners back, and we're hoping to peak at the right time. We're also excited for the start of the fall seasons for our tennis and golf programs and continuing to build off the success of the last year. We're scheduled to host events for all seven programs this fall and look forward to the opportunity for these student-athletes to play at home."