Nighthawks riding momentum into fall

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will aim to keep its athletics momentum going strong this fall.

Securing the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Commissioner's Cup in May cemented 2023-24 as the best athletic year in school history, with postseason or regular-season titles in women's soccer, men's basketball, softball, men's golf, and women's tennis. Eight of UNG's 13 teams were represented in the NCAA postseason, with the men's basketball, men's golf and women's tennis team each reaching their respective NCAA championships.

"We have incredible momentum in Nighthawk Athletics, and we are excited to see our fall teams continue that trend," Athletics Director Mary Rob Plunkett said. "Our student-athletes and coaches continue to cement UNG's reputation as the most competitive, value-added NCAA Division II athletic program in the nation."

Heading into the fall, the UNG women's soccer team ranks No. 24 nationally. Coming off a 14-4-4 season that included an 8-0-1 PBC record, the Nighthawks open the 2024 season at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 against UNC Pembroke at the UNG Soccer Complex. Head coach Kayley Ralton's program is 41-18-8 in her four seasons and has made the NCAA postseason all three times it was held.

The UNG men's soccer team opens head coach Anel Lilic's first season as full-time coach at 5 p.m. Sept. 5 against Francis Marion in the 16th annual CSU Laker Loch-In Classic in Morrow, Georgia. His team went 9-8-2 overall and 5-3-2 in PBC play while he was interim head coach in 2023. Home action begins for the Nighthawks at 5 p.m. Sept. 7 versus Converse. See the full schedule.

UNG's women's cross country team opens its schedule at 5:45 p.m. Sept. 6 in the Young Harris Opener in Young Harris, Georgia. The Nighthawks, coached by Chris England, then host the 12th annual UNG XC Invitational at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at UNG's Gainesville Campus. They also host the Oct. 26 PBC championship at the Gainesville Campus. The NCAA Division II Southeast Regional is set for Nov. 9 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The UNG men's golf team, coming off its national runner-up finish in the spring under head coach Bryson Worley, is ranked second nationally in the preseason and plays in five fall tournaments, highlighted by hosting the third annual Mizuno Intercollegiate at Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Georgia, from Sept. 23-24.

This fall, the women's golf team plays in four tournaments, highlighted by the 11th annual LeeAnn Noble Memorial, set for Oct. 7-8 at Achasta Golf Club in Dahlonega, Georgia. See the full schedule for head coach Sierra Campbell's team.