Nighthawks set record with 18 victories

The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team set a program record with 18 victories before finishing its season in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament.

Following a 3-1 win against Anderson University in the first round Nov. 21, the Nighthawks (18-3-1) fell 1-0 to Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round Nov. 23 at UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Alex Clark, Angie Garcia and Meghan O'Brien scored the goals in UNG's NCAA tournament victory against Anderson.

Though the season ended when UNG came up empty on 17 shots in the second-round contest against Lenoir-Rhyne, the Nighthawks still made this a year to remember. In addition to the record number of wins, other highlights included:

• A 10-0 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) regular-season record, the first perfect conference mark in program history.
• A second PBC regular-season title in the past three seasons.
• The Nighthawks were ranked No. 8 nationally entering the NCAA tournament after spending much of the season in the top 10.
• Clark was named PBC Defensive Player of the Year and was joined as a first-team All-PBC selection by teammates Grace McGill, Blanca Cruz, Nina Lopez, and Chloe Diaz. Four of those five have eligibility remaining.
• Head coach Kayley Ralton was named PBC Coach of the Year.

UNG has now reached the NCAA tournament in all five seasons it has been held since Ralton took over the program. The Nighthawks have now won at least one NCAA tournament game three years in a row for the first time since 2014-2016. Ralton is now 72-25-12 overall as UNG's head coach.