Women's soccer team punches NCAA ticket
The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team will open the NCAA Division II tournament at home with a chance to build on an already-historic season.
UNG enters the national postseason at 17-2-1 after blitzing through the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) with a 10-0 mark for its second regular-season PBC title in three years. A victory in the NCAA tournament would set a new program record for wins in a season, as the Nighthawks have already tied the record of 17 previously set in 2014.
In their half of the NCAA Southeast Regional, the No. 2 seed Nighthawks welcome No. 7 seed Anderson (11-5-2) in a 3 p.m. Nov. 21 first-round match at UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park in Dahlonega, Georgia. No. 3 seed Columbus State (14-5-1) takes on No. 6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne (10-4-3) at noon Nov. 21. The winners of those two contests will match up in the second round at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 in Dahlonega with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. Ticket information will be available on the Southeast Regional website.
UNG is seeking to build on its Sweet 16 run in 2024, when it defeated Wingate and Lander during the opening weekend in Hickory, North Carolina.
The Nighthawks fell 1-0 to Columbus State in the Nov. 15 PBC tournament championship match in Dahlonega, Georgia, following a 2-1 victory against Flagler in the semifinals and a 3-0 triumph against Clayton State in the quarterfinals.
Sixth-year head coach Kayley Ralton has now led UNG to the NCAA tournament in all five seasons it has been held during her tenure. She has tallied a 71-24-12 overall record.
Junior Grace McGill leads UNG with 10 goals, with sophomores Nina Lopez and Blanca Cruz each adding nine. Eight players have at least four assists, led by seven from Lopez.
NCAA Southeast Regional
UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park
Dahlonega, Georgia
Friday, Nov. 21
No. 3 seed Columbus State vs. No. 6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne, noon
No. 2 seed North Georgia vs. No. 7 seed Anderson, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23
Columbus State-Lenoir-Rhyne winner vs. North Georgia-Anderson winner, 3 p.m.
Nighthawks set record with 18 victories
The 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.
Men's soccer team secures PBC title
The UNG men's soccer team has won its first-ever Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship and will have a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed in the PBC tournament.
Women's soccer team is regular-season champ
The UNG women's soccer team has earned the Peach Belt Conference regular-season title for the second time in three years, pulling off the feat with a perfect 10-0 PBC record.