Box Score

GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of North Georgia men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 road loss at the hands of Lander Wednesday night, falling to 1-3-1 on the season in the process. The game was the first Peach Belt Conference contest of the season for the Nighthawks who now start league play 0-1.

The first half between the Bearcats and Nighthawks was a back and forth battle Wednesday. A battle that neither team won. 

Despite Lander holding most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes, UNG managed to survive the frame at a 0-0 tie. The Bearcats out shot the Nighthawks 7-4 in the first half. Lander put five shots on frame while UNG had yet to place a shot on target. 

In the second half, much remained the same from the first half in the first 15 minutes. 

Unfortunately, it was a Nighthawk mistake that broke the scoreless tie in the 61st minute. 

After Lander sent a cross that traveled from the near side of the field, through the box and to the far side, it appeared as though UNG was in a good spot to rid the danger. A lazy, bouncing cross back into the box looked like it was going to be directed away from the goal. Instead, a misplay from a UNG defender led to an own goal, giving Lander a 1-0 lead. 

There was some confusion on the play as a majority of the Nighthawk defenders believed the Bearcats were going to be called off sides on the first entry pass. However, no whistle was blown and there was no conversation between the referee and the linesman after the goal.

Holding the momentum and the advantage on the scoreboard, Lander pounced on another opportunity a few minutes later. 

After a corner kick sailed from the far side corner into the box, the ball was deflected a number of times between blue jerseys and white jerseys. The Bearcats, wearing their home whites, were able to direct the ball through the congestion and past Nighthawk sophomore keeper Aleksa Lukic to cement the 2-0 lead. 

Between Lander's final goal and the end of the game, UNG would place six shots on goal in an attempt to get back in the contest. All six were saved by Bearcat keeper Juan Rodriguez.

Now, the Nighthawks return home to face a conference foe at home for the first time this season. On Saturday, Sep. 21, UNG will welcome Georgia Southwestern to the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park at 2 p.m. The Nighthawks will celebrate Family Weekend during the game.