MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team came back from an early deficit to defeat Georgia College 3-1 Wednesday night. The win moves UNG to 8-1-1 overall this season, 3-0-1 in PBC play and 5-0 on the road.
The Bobcats got the scoring started early Wednesday night with a 13th minute goal from Ava Martin to take a 1-0 lead. It marked just the third time this season UNG has trailed in a game.
The Nighthawks would even the contest quickly in the 19th minute thanks to sophomore
Chloe Diaz's fourth goal of the season.
Junior forward
Bailey Oetinger dribbled the ball roughly 15 yards outside the box in the middle of the field. Unmarked, Diaz charged forward and received a pass from Oetinger. From well outside the box, Diaz ripped a shot that no one saw coming. The ball beautifully curved over and past the outstretched arms of Bobcat keeper Maddie Drake.
Diaz's four goals this season are tied for second-most on the team.
The game would remain tied at 1-1 through halftime and well into the second half. Then, in the 61st minute, the Nighthawks got an opportunity to untie the game with a penalty kick.
After being awarded a free kick on the far side near midfield, junior midfielder
Alex Clark sent a high arcing cross into the box. Before anybody could reach the ball, sophomore defender
Grace McGill was trampled by a GCSU defender, leading to a penalty kick opportunity for UNG.
Junior midfielder
Adleigh Wheeler would take the kick and zip the ball into the back of the net on the left side, giving the Nighthawks a 2-1 lead. Wheeler's goal also marked her fourth of the season, tying her with Diaz for the second most on the team.
Maintaining the 2-1 advantage, UNG was in the driver's seat down the stretch and looked for an opportunity to close the door on the Bobcats. The Nighthawks found that opportunity in the 88th minute thanks to Clark and senior midfielder
Darby Olive.
For the second time Wednesday, Clark would deliver a beautiful ball that would lead to a scoring opportunity for her team. This time, it came from the far side on a corner kick.
As Clark sent the ball towards the front post, Olive stepped up and directed it into the net with her right foot. The goal not only gave UNG a 3-1 lead with less than three minutes to play, but it was also Olive's third of the season, a career high for her.
The Nighthawks would go on to win 3-1 for their second comeback victory of the year.
The win kept UNG in first place in the PBC with 13 points on the year, one spot and point ahead of No. 3 Columbus State. The Nighthawks will not face the Cougars until they travel to Columbus, Ga. on Oct. 26 for the final PBC match of the season. First, they will host Georgia Southwestern on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. from the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park.
On Saturday, UNG will honor four seniors (Olive,
Cat Watry,
Mychael Fruits,
Sierra Fowler) as a part of its Senior Night celebration.
