GREENWOOD, S.C. — Despite giving up two second half equalizers, the 16th-ranked University of North Georgia team proved their resilience Wednesday evening at Van Taylor Stadium, picking up a 3-2 victory in extra time with the golden goal off the hot foot of Rachel VanHorn, who scored twice in the match and assisted on UNG's third goal. The Nighthawks improve to 6-1-2 on the season with a 4-1-1 mark in the Peach Belt Conference.
 
UNG netted the only goal of the first half in the 36th as Brynn Finneran scored her second goal of the season on a ball from Rachel VanHorn.
 
Lander evened the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute as Emily Jermstad finished a ball from Logan Lewis on the right side to tie the match. It did not take the Nighthawks long to break the tie however, as Jessi Vaverka found Rachel VanHorn in front of the goal to give UNG the lead once again, 2-1, in the 56th.
 
The Bearcats stayed alive in the closing minutes capitalizing on just their second corner kick of the night with Victoria Lange giving Lander their second equalizer of the night in the 88th minute.
 
The fourth time proved to be the charm for UNG in extra time as Rachel VanHorn found the back of the net once again in the 97th on North Georgia's fourth shot of the extra period to give the Nighthawks the 3-2 road win.
 
NOTES
- The Nighthawks outshot Lander 25-6 on the night and had an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Bearcats converted goals in both their shots on frame.
 
- Kaitlyn Siberski (2-1-1) picked up her second win in a decision this season without collecting a save.
 
- UNG moves within one match of Lander in the all-time series after the victory. The Bearcats hold a 6-7 advantage in the series that began when UNG joined the Peach Belt in 2005.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will return to Dahlonega for their final true home stand of the season, hosting three matches in the span of a week, beginning with Saturday's (Oct. 8) match against Montevallo. Kickoff for the women's match is set for 7:30 p.m.