AIKEN, S.C. | An early
Rachel VanHorn goal would give the 16th-ranked University of North Georgia women's soccer team all they would need to take down USC Aiken on the road Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Nighthawks finish the regular season at 13-2-1 and 8-2-1 in Peach Belt Conference play.
VanHorn scored the lone goal of the game in the 18th minute. It was her first game-winning goal of the season.
NOTES- UNG holds a 9-1-1 advantage over USC Aiken in the NCAA-era and have won the last seven contests with the last Pacer result coming in 2007, a scoreless tie.
- The shutout is the ninth of the season for the Nighthawks, breaking a three-game streak of allowing at least one goal.
- The nine shutouts in a season ties the UNG single season record. North Georgia also accomplished the feat in 2011 and 2014.
- The shutout is the 26th of
Mallory Sayre's career, both extending her career record at UNG and setting a new career high in Peach Belt history.
- With the victory, the Nighthawks claim three more points in PBC play and guarantee at least a third-place finish in the final league standings. UNG currently sits in second place but can be jumped by Armstrong if the Pirates defeat Lander at home later today.
STAT OF THE DAY1 – The North Georgia backline only allowed one USC Aiken shot the entire game.
NEXT UPThe Nighthawks will host a PBC Tournament quarterfinal game on Tuesday at the UNG Soccer Complex, playing host to either the seven or six seed depending on where North Georgia finishes in the league standings. The opponent and time of the game will be announced by Sunday afternoon.
