DAHLONEGA | The University of North Georgia men's soccer team scored its first win of the 2015 season in the team's home opener against Tampa, 2-1, Thursday evening in front of an overflow crowd of 638.
 
Carl Ludwig Eriksson scored his first goal of the season in the 19th minute to give UNG its first lead of the night and of the season. Eriksson made his strike from the top of the box catching the Tampa goalkeeper off guard sneaking the ball in by the near post.
 
UNG got what would be the game-winning goal off a penalty kick in the 43rd minute with Daniel Bowlt blasting a shot just inside the near post to put UNG up 2-0.
 
The Spartans made a late charge at the Nighthawks as Bay Downing scored a goal off a scuffle in the box. North Georgia held off a few more late attacks to take the game 2-1.
 
NOTES
- The home opening win is the first for UNG since 2011 when the Nighthawks defeated the Savannah College of Art and Design, 2-1, in Dahlonega.
 
- Carl Ludwig Eriksson's goal was the first of his North Georgia career. The freshman from Uppsala, Sweden made an early impression on the Nighthawk fans.
 
- Daniel Bowlt scored the ninth goal of his career on the penalty kick and his first of the season in the 43rd minute.
 
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"Today was one of those days where we played like we practice," UNG head coach Patrice Parris said. "The University of Tampa is a quality program and they'll be a tough team to beat in the Sunshine Conference. The victory today shows how good we can be to beat a quality side like Tampa. It should give us confidence that we are good and can compete."
 
STAT OF THE NIGHT
16-16 / 7-7 – North Georgia and Tampa were equal on shots for the night with each team making 16 cracks at the goal with each team putting seven shots on frame.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks have a quick turnaround welcoming Eckerd to the UNG Soccer Complex on Saturday for a 1 p.m., kickoff.