Women's soccer team makes NCAA tournament
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.
Softball team wins PBC, will host NCAA regional
The UNG softball team secured its first Peach Belt Conference tournament title in three seasons and will be the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
Baseball team earns NCAA tourney bid
The UNG baseball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament and opens the event against Francis Marion at 2 p.m. May 14 in Tigerville, South Carolina.
Garnett aims to make an impact on others
UNG men's soccer student-athlete Max Garnett seeks to set an example through showing up for others. He graduates this spring and will start his graduate studies at UNG.
Tennis teams reach NCAA tournament
Both UNG tennis teams have earned berths in the NCAA Division II tournament. It is the women's ninth consecutive NCAA bid and the men's seventh in a row.