Women's soccer team is regular-season champ
The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team has earned the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) regular-season title for the second time in three years. This fall, the Nighthawks pulled off the feat with a 10-0 PBC record, the first perfect conference mark in program history.
Head coach Kayley Ralton is the first coach in program history to win multiple regular-season league titles.
UNG opens PBC tournament play in the quarterfinals by hosting No. 8 seed Clayton State at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park in Dahlonega, Georgia. Tickets can be purchased on UNG's Hometown Ticketing webpage. Students receive free admission with their UNG ID. As long as it advances in the tournament, UNG will play at home, which includes a potential Nov. 12 semifinal and Nov. 15 championship match.
The Nighthawks, ranked eighth nationally, wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 victory Nov. 1 at Clayton State. They enter postseason play with a 15-1-1 overall record, well within reach of surpassing the program record for victories in a season, which was set with 17 in 2014.
"We have a very determined and hungry team. Making the Sweet 16 last year has pushed us even more," Ralton said. "Our whole saying this year is going from great to elite."
Junior Grace McGill leads the team with nine goals. Senior Bailey Oetinger, sophomore Blanca Cruz and sophomore Nina Lopez have each scored eight goals for UNG this season, with senior Kyleigh Drew adding seven. Eight Nighthawks have at least three assists.
Ahead of the PBC and NCAA tournaments, Ralton is now 69-23-12 in six seasons at the helm of the UNG women's soccer program. This season will mark her fifth NCAA tournament appearance, meaning the Nighthawks have made the tournament every season it has been held under her direction.
PBC women's soccer tournament
Nov. 8 (quarterfinals)
No. 7 South Carolina Beaufort at No. 2 Lander, 1 p.m.
No. 8 Clayton State at No. 1 North Georgia, 2 p.m.
No. 6 USC Aiken at No. 3 Columbus State, 2 p.m.
No. 5 Flagler at No. 4 Georgia College & State University, 2 p.m.
Nov. 12 (semifinals)
UNG-Clayton State winner vs. Georgia College-Flagler winner, 5 p.m.
Lander-South Carolina Beaufort winner vs. Columbus State-USC Aiken winner, 5 p.m.
Nov. 15 (championship)
Semifinal winners, 4 p.m.
Baseball team wins PBC regular-season title
The UNG baseball team has won its first outright Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship since 2017 and opens the PBC tournament May 1 against Middle Georgia.
Men's golf earns 6th straight NCAA bid
The UNG men's golf team has earned its sixth consecutive NCAA Division II postseason appearance and will compete in the South/Southeast Regional in Valdosta, Georgia.
Connell earns PBC individual golf title
UNG women's golf freshman Mackenzie Connell secured the individual Peach Belt Conference championship. Her team tied for second in PBC championship and now heads to the NCAA Division II South Regional.
ONEUNG supports strategic big bets
Donors have an opportunity to strengthen UNG's seven strategic big bets by supporting 20 projects featured in the 'ONEUNG — Bold Forward' university-wide giving campaign.