DAHLONEGA - After an exciting start to the 2021-22 season last week, the University of North Georgia Department of Athletics looks ahead to a week that features three home events, including the women's soccer home opener and the ninth annual UNG XC Invitational. This season's weekly preview is presented by Northeast Georgia Health System, the official healthcare partner of UNG Nighthawk Athletics.

Single game and season tickets are available for all home soccer matches while home cross country events are free to the public. All home events will be broadcast live courtesy of the Nighthawk Sports Network. 

WOMEN'S SOCCER (0-0-1, 0-0-0 PBC)
The women's soccer team opened up the 2021 campaign with a 3-3 draw on the road at Carson-Newman. Abbie Crane netted two goals for the second time in her career while Taylor Malasek posted the third goal for the Nighthawks.

This week sees North Georgia open up the home slate Wednesday evening with a 5 p.m. kick against West Georgia. The first 50 UNG students through the gate will get a free NG hat. West Georgia opened up their season with a 1-0 loss at Lander Saturday.

After the match against the Wolves, UNG will hit the road Sunday for another match against a Gulf South school in Valdosta State at 1 p.m. The Blazers are 1-0-0 headed into a stretch where they will play three matches in five days, culminating with the Sunday showdown against North Georgia.

MEN'S SOCCER (1-0-0, 0-0-0 PBC)
North Georgia started the 2021 season with a thrilling 2-1 win over Erskine where Elwyn Asiedu headed home the winner as time expired Thursday night. Donovan Odier also scored in the match in the 75th minute.

The Nighthawks will hit the road first this week to take on Lee Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The Flames won 3-1 against Carson-Newman on the road Thursday to open their season.

North Georgia will then return home to battle Alabama Huntsville Friday evening at 5 p.m. The Chargers are 1-0-1 after the opening weekend, drawing with Florida Southern, 0-0, and defeating Eckerd, 3-2.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 
After a seventh place finish at the Kennesaw State Opener Friday morning, the Nighthawks are set to host the ninth annual UNG XC Invitational on the Gainesville campus. The Nighthawks will host a men's and women's 5K race in Oakwood with the women set to run at 6:30 p.m.

In Friday's race against a loaded Division I heavy field, Claire Mills led the way for UNG, finishing as the top non-DI runner in the race.

UNG NIGHT AT THE ATLANTA BRAVES GAME
On Saturday, the UNG Alumni Association is sponsoring its first-ever UNG Night at the Atlanta Braves game against Miami at Truist Park. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go directly to UNG Athletics' Make-A-Wish initiative.