DAHLONEGA | Just four seconds away from defeat,
Ivan Acimovic scored his second goal of the season to give the University of North Georgia men's soccer team the equalizer it needed to force overtime and eventually tie UNC Pembroke, 2-2, in double overtime. The equalizer could prove key in the race for the Peach Belt Conference Tournament as the point puts UNG in sixth place while a loss would have dropped the Nighthawks to eighth place.
The game got off to a quick start with each team finding a goal in the first 10 minutes. Jordan Walshaw got the Braves on the board in the 5-th minute before UNG's
Daniel Bowlt tied the game at 1-1 converting on his third penalty kick of the season in the 10th minute.
Josh Phelps put UNCP back on top in the 29th minute heading in a great corner kick from Walshaw.
While the Nighthawks dominated the second half of play, UNG came up just short on several opportunities but finally broke through in the waning seconds of regulation as Acimovic finished a free kick from
Daniel Bennett after a momentary scuffle in the box.
UNG got all of the looks in the two overtime periods, outshooting UNCP 6-0, but the Nighthawks could never find the golden goal to take the victory.
NOTES- The UNG men have had a flare for the dramatic this season scoring an equalizer in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime on three different occasions now (Tampa 3-3, Lenoir-Rhyne 1-2, UNC Pembroke 2-2).
NEXT UPThe Nighthawks will step out of conference play for the last time this season on Tuesday evening as they play host to Shorter. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
