DAHLONEGA - Matheus Abreu scored the game-winning goal in the 59th minute as the University of North Georgia men's soccer team opened Peach Belt play with a 3-2 win over Francis Marion Saturday night at the UNG Soccer Complex.
"I thought I saw great growth in the team tonight," said head coach Pat Parris. "We played like an elite team tonight as we defended our home turf."
Neither team scored until the opening moments of the second half.
Eren Ozer broke the scoreless tie in the 51st minute, but Jordan Dechere tied the match for the Patriots with a goal just over a minute later.
After a foul in the box,
Adam Farrell blasted home a penalty kick and, moments later, Abreu slotted home the game-winner. The Patriots added a goal in the 69th minute, but the Nighthawks' defense held firm the rest of the way to earn the three points.
NOTES
- North Georgia and Francis Marion combined for 42 shots with UNG taking 23 of them. The 23 shots was the most taken since the UNC Pembroke game last year when the Nighthawks took 31 shots.
- UNG now has back-to-back wins over Francis Marion in the series and lead 8-6 all-time.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will compete in this year's installation of the Battle of Blood Mountain as they take on Young Harris Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
