DAHLONEGA I The University of North Georgia men's soccer team defeated the visiting Mountain Lions of Young Harris College, 3-2, in front of a standing room only crowd at the UNG Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening. With the win the Nighthawks improve to 5-5 overall and 2-0 in the Peach Belt Conference on the season.
 
North Georgia would score first in the 26th minute off a free kick from Carl Ludwig Eriksson allowing the ball to be headed in by Ivan Acimovic.
 
The Nighthawks struck again in the 36th with a one-two touch and shot inside the box from Michael Akin, assisted by Matt Shaftoe.
 
Young Harris would counter the UNG goals just inside the final minute of the first half with Ramin Varnhorn heading in a goal off a well-placed cross from Jonny Denton assisted in by Marco Micaletto.
 
North Georgia went on to score in the 71st minute with a textbook cross in the box from William Pettersson to Carl Ludwig Eriksson who would send the ball past the over-extended goalkeeper.
 
Young Harris would score the final goal of the night in the 76th with a shot from Varnhorn following a struggle for the ball just feet from the net. The last minute efforts would not be enough for the Mountain Lions as UNG held on for the 3-2 victory.
 
NOTES
- The Nighthawk win is only the second victory against Young Harris, the last being in 2011 when North Georgia defeated the Mountain Lions 3-1, before YHC joined the Peach Belt.
 
- North Georgia keeper Michael Samnik (5-5-0) picked up 11 saves for the second consecutive game, tying his career best.
 
STAT OF THE DAY
2-0 – North Georgia starts Peach Belt Conference play 2-0 for the first time since 2011, when UNG began conference play with victories against USC Aiken and UNC Pembroke. North Georgia would finish 2011 5-3 in the conference.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will travel to St. Augustine, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 1 to take on Flagler at 1 p.m.