PEMBROKE, N.C. - After knocking on the door for the first 68 minutes, Taylor Malasek found the back of the net as the University of North Georgia women's soccer team opened the new season with a 1-0 win at UNC Pembroke Monday afternoon.

North Georgia nearly broke open the scoring in the first half as Brenley Townsend put a shot off the right post in the 28th minute. Play opened up in the second half with Malasek taking a free kick in the 55th minute that went over the woodwork.

Just 10 minutes later, Townsend again almost found paydirt with her shot toward the lower right corner of the net getting pushed aside. In the 69th minute, Maysoon El-Shami slotted a pass right up the middle of the pitch to Malasek, who slid the ball past the Brave goalkeeper for the game-winner.

NOTES
- The win Monday is the first for North Georgia at UNC Pembroke in nine tries all-time. It is also just the second time in the last 27 matches that UNC Pembroke has not garnered at least a draw at Lumbee River EMC Stadium.

- The game-winner for Malasek is the 13th of her collegiate career, putting her tied for the career record in UNG history.

- Freshman Margo Perry earned her first collegiate clean sheet, turning away five UNCP shots.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will be on the road Thursday as they travel to Francis Marion for a 6 p.m. start.