DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia women's soccer team entered the win column on Saturday night with a 3-0 win over Anderson at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park.
The Nighthawks had a bit of déjà vu from their season opener in the first half, creating multiple chances but failing to come away with a goal. North Georgia had seven shots in the first half while allowing just two from Anderson. Despite controlling most of the first half, both teams headed into the break tied at zero.
An already aggressive attack from the Nighthawks pushed for more in the second half, looking for their first goal of the season. In the 49th minute,
Nikki Gomez put a cross into the box that troubled the Anderson goalkeeper; a few bounces in the penalty area put the ball in front of sophomore
Arielle Aronoff who finished it home to take the lead.
Just four minutes later,
Grace Morgan let one rip on an assist by
Abbie Crane. The shot was placed perfectly as it hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced down past the line for North Georgia's second goal.
The halftime break had energized the Nighthawks and helped them take a 2-0 lead. For the rest of the half, UNG continued to pressure Anderson, but that pressure never materialized into another goal. In the match's final moments,
Natalie Maguire raced towards the Trojan's side as the clock winded down. Maguire put one past the keeper with one second left on the clock.
The Nighthawks moved to 1-1 on the season with four consecutive home games on the schedule waiting for them.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• North Georgia had 21 shots in the game, allowing just five shots for Anderson.
• After going scoreless in the first three halves of the year, North Georgia scored three goals in just the second half on Saturday.
• Anderson had 23 shots in their season opener Thursday.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks continue their season by hosting North Greenville for the second matchup between the two programs all-time. NGU tied (1-1) in their season opener against fellow Peach Belt squad Lander.
