MORROW, Ga. – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team suffered a 3-0 defeat on the road at the hands of Clayton State Wednesday evening. With the loss, UNG concedes first place in the Peach Belt Conference to Clayton State. The Nighthawks are now 7-5-2 overall this season and 5-3-1 in league play.
It was a trio of second half goals that led to UNG's defeat against the Lakers Wednesday.
In the first half, the Nighthawks' back line allowed seven shots from Clayton State but limited the Lakers to zero shots on goal.
It wasn't until the 77th minute that Clayton State would finally break the scoring open in the game as Alex Rodriguez converted on a penalty kick goal after a foul was called on the Nighthawks during a Lakers corner kick. Rodriguez's goal made it 1-0 in favor of Clayton State with 13:55 remaining in the game.
Three minutes later, the Lakers would take control of the match with another goal, this time from Fallah Johnson in the 80th minute.
While the Nighthawks kept battling all the way until the finish line, a penalty kick goal for Vic Delgado Miller with four seconds left in the game would ultimately cement the 3-0 win for the Lakers.
With 18 points and a 6-1 conference record, Clayton State now sits in first place in the PBC. UNG has one conference game remaining next Wednesday, Oct. 30 against Lander at home. The Nighthawks will need a win against the Bearcats and three Lakers losses in their final three games in order to win the PBC regular season crown.
UNG will celebrate Senior Night as it takes on the Bearcats on Wednesday from the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park. Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Dahlonega.
