DAHLONEGA | After being ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll, the University of North Georgia women's soccer team is eager to kick off the 2017 season Friday night on the road against the Lee Flames.

"Lee will be a very tall challenge for us," said head women's soccer coach Chris Adams. "I think we have young and hungry bunch of players that are ready for the challenge and will give it all that they have got."

North Georgia returns 12 players from a 2016 team that went to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The 2016 team ranked sixth in the nation in goals scored per game, scoring just over three goals a match.

Earlier this month, the Nighthawks were picked to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference preseason poll, receiving all possible second-place votes in the process.

When North Georgia and Lee take the field Friday night, it will be just the third time the two teams have met and the first time in 13 years. The Flames hold the all-time series edge, 2-0, with both games being played at Lee.

The Nighthawks will get the season started at 7 p.m. in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Boyd Buchanan Christian School.