DAHLONEGA — An overtime battle ended with the University of North Georgia men's soccer team as victors, picking up a 2-1 win after 110 minutes of action. It was a physical game throughout as the Nighthawks fought through tired legs, using just two subs in the game and overcoming an early 1-0 deficit.
Aram Lara was a significant contributor to the UNG attack, logging four shots, three on goal, answering a 15th-minute goal by Jack Malleret (GSW) in the 36th minute, and finding the equalizer to tie the game at 1-1. North Georgia controlled much of the game, but a relentless Hurricane backline held firm for the remainder of the game as the Nighthawks logged 22 shots in regulation in contrast to seven by GSW.
After many close calls at the end of the second half, North Georgia found the game-winning goal in the 95th minute as
Michael Walsh gave the crowd a burst of energy, scoring his sixth goal of the season off an assist from
Max Garnett.
After the first ten-minute overtime period, UNG held a 2-1 lead, needing to hold on for ten more minutes to move onto the PBC Semifinals. The back line for North Georgia was determined, holding Georgia Southwestern to just two shots after the Hurricanes began to push for the equalizer in hopes of sending the game to penalty kicks. Nothing would come for the final push for GSW as the Nighthawks picked up the ninth win of the season, making their first appearance in the PBC semifinals since 2017.
Next on the schedule is second-seeded Lander, as the Bearcats will host North Georgia on Friday (Nov. 10), with times for that matchup to be announced. The Bearcats hold an 8-4-4 record, tying against UNG in the first matchup before taking a 3-1 win at home in the regular season finale.
