Women's soccer team makes Sweet 16

The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team is moving on to the Sweet 16 after defeating No. 7 seed Lander University 1-0 on Nov. 24 in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. 

The No. 3 seed Nighthawks' victory sends UNG to the Southeast Regional championship for just the second time in program history and the first time since 2016. 

UNG (13-3-3) advances to face No. 1 seed Columbus State University (20-0-1), which is ranked second nationally, in Columbus, Georgia, on Dec. 1. The kickoff time for the match will be announced by the NCAA at a later date. 

"Super proud of them for that. To make it to the Sweet 16 for the second time is a goal that we've been chasing for a little while now," head coach Kayley Ralton said. "Last year we made it to the second round, so to get even further again is a great testament to the team's work ethic that they've put in this year."

In the Nighthawks' first showdown with Columbus State this season, the Cougars concluded the regular season with a 1-0 win over UNG. However, the Nighthawks held Columbus State to one of its worst offensive performances of the season with 14 shots, five shots on goal and only one goal. 

The regional final matchup will be the 33rd meeting since 2005 between UNG and the Cougars. The Nighthawks last defeated Columbus State in the 2023 regular-season finale to become the outright Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions for the first time in program history.

The second-round victory over Lander was inspired by an urge to grab revenge from UNG's regular-season matchup with the Bearcats. In a game in which the Nighthawks dominated Lander, allowing just one shot attempt over 90 minutes, a 1-1 draw was not UNG's desired result. 

On Nov. 24, UNG's back line would hold strong against the Bearcats once more, this time pitching its seventh shutout of the season and fifth shutout in the last seven games. 

On offense, the Nighthawks consistently earned quality chances throughout the early stages of the game. One chance in the 36th minute would prove pivotal as sophomore forward Grace McGill broke the scoreless tie with the game's only goal.

As freshman forward Sam Cottle weaved between defenders on the far side of the field, McGill quietly worked her way toward the six-yard box. Suddenly, Cottle exploded past the defense on the far side of the box, opening up a clean angle for a cross. She chipped the ball toward the net as McGill stepped in front and directed the ball off her chest past Bearcat keeper Leah Hayes Coen.

McGill's goal marked her fourth instance finding the back of the net this season. The Senoia, Georgia, native has been a critical piece to UNG's success of late. Three of her four goals this season have come in the last five games for the Nighthawks. Two of those goals have come in the NCAA tournament as she aided UNG to a 2-0 win over No. 6 seed Wingate on Nov. 22.

"The trust that my teammates have in me to put the ball in the back of the net has been awesome," McGill said. "I know how hard we've all worked to get to this spot that we're in today. I really feel like we can go really far in this tournament."

UNG senior goalkeeper Sierra Fowler had another spectacular game on Sunday, totaling four saves while recording her sixth shutout of the season and fifth in the last seven games. In that stretch, Fowler has faced 26 shots on goal and saved 23 of them. 

As the Nighthawks go for a victory against Columbus State in the next round, they are also chasing the first Elite Eight appearance in program history. 

"It's always a hard battle between the two of us," Ralton said. "Staying disciplined is going to be a big message for the team. We're getting into a good form here. It's go big or go home time, so we have to give it everything we've got."

The last time UNG was in the Sweet 16, the Nighthawks fell 2-0 to Columbus State.