Women's soccer team makes NCAA tournament
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team has punched its ticket to a fourth consecutive NCAA Division II tournament. As the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Regional, the Nighthawks will face No. 6 seed Wingate at 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the first round in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Second-seeded Catawba College faces No. 7 seed UNC Pembroke at 6 p.m. Nov. 16, with the winner of that contest matching up with the UNG-Wingate victor at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 with a spot in the Southeast Regional finals on the line.
In the other half of the regional, fourth-seeded Columbus State University and fifth-seeded Flagler College will meet for a PBC semifinal rematch in the first round of the Southeast Regional, while top-seeded Lenoir Rhyne University will face eighth-seeded Carson-Newman University.
UNG heads into the postseason for the ninth time in the NCAA era after one of the best regular seasons in the program's history. North Georgia compiled a record of 14-3-3 this season, finishing first in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) standings after going unbeaten at 8-0-1 in PBC play in the regular season. The Nighthawks then advanced to their first PBC tournament championship game since 2017.
UNG defeated Georgia Southwestern University 3-1 in its PBC tournament opener Nov. 6 before overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win in penalty kicks Nov. 10 in the PBC semifinals against Lander University. Columbus State defeated the Nighthawks 3-1 in the PBC title game Nov. 12, a reversal from UNG's win two weeks earlier to secure the regular-season title. Adleigh Wheeler and Natalie Maguire earned all-tournament honors.
Bailey Vessell secured PBC Defender of the Year honors for the season, with Sierra Fowler, Maysoon El-Shami and Cat Watry joining her as first-team All-PBC selections. Arielle Aronoff, Katey Derkay, Alex Clark, Wheeler, Alizee Buresi and Mychael Fruits brought home second-team All-PBC honors.
Fourth-year head coach Kayley Ralton was named PBC Coach of the Year. She is now 41-17-7 overall and 27-7-3 in PBC regular-season play since taking the helm of the program ahead of the spring 2021 season.
Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
The UNG men’s and women’s basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November. Both teams return all-conference performers as they aim for national and PBC supremacy.
New Nighthawks gear available for order
UNG has rolled out the Nighthawk Sideline Shop, an online spirit shop where fans can get newly branded gear that mirrors what the Nighthawks are wearing.
Institute for Peak Performance launches
UNG launched the Institute for Peak Performance on Sept. 21, bringing together the efforts of the Cadet Leadership Academy, Athletics Department, and College of Health Sciences & Professions.
O'Hair takes reins of softball program
New UNG softball head coach Brooke O'Hair brings a winning history and an approach built on inspiring and mentoring student-athletes.