ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The University of North Georgia men's soccer team extended its win streak to three games Sunday afternoon with a pair of second-half goals to comeback and take down Flagler 2-1 on the road.
UNG moves to 4-3-1 overall and 3-1 in Peach Belt Conference play with the win. The win also propels the Nighthawks to a first place spot atop the early-season PBC standings. The loss for the Saints drops them to 2-1 and in second place behind UNG. The win serves as the Nighthawks' first victory in St. Augustine since October of 2012. It's also the first time since at least 2009 UNG has defeated Flagler in consecutive matchups after a 2-1 victory last year as well.
Sunday's win appeared to be an example of growth and maturity for a Nighthawks team that is very much in the early stages of developing into a cohesive unit. Through the first eight games this season, a team that welcomed 28 new players this season experienced a number of growing pains. One of those growing pains came in the first half on Sunday.
In the 30th minute, a defensive miscue led to the first score of the game. As sophomore defender
Angel Sagrero attempted to pass the ball across the field, Flagler attacker Xavier Ryan jumped in front of Sagrero's intended target. With UNG keeper
Aleksa Lukic off his line in an attempt to save the play, Ryan intercepted the pass and chipped the ball over Lukic for the goal.
The Saints would hang on to the 1-0 lead through halftime and into the second half. It wasn't until junior forward
Santiago Cano tied the game in the 67th minute that the scoreboard would change.
A midfield takeaway led to the ball being placed on senior defender
Alejandro DeVillena's foot as he stood close to the near sideline in the attacking third. DeVillena pushed it forward and found freshman forward
Jorge Sandoval just outside the box. Sandoval turned and saw Cano streaking into the box.
Between two defenders, Sandoval neatly lifted the ball and chipped it between the opposition. Cano chased it down, took a touch and bounced it through the keeper's legs to tie the game. The goal was Cano's second of the season. The assist was Sandoval's team and conference-leading fourth helper so far this year.
13 minutes later, Sandoval made an impact play again. One that would eventually lead to the game-winning goal from senior midfielder
Rafael Oliveira Pais.
After a goal kick, Sandoval made a run down the far side of the field and received a ball from sophomore defender
DJ Shin. Led perfectly by Shin's pass, Sandoval had a defender on his hip and green grass in front of him. He barreled towards the box and met Saints goalkeeper Ryan Rivas a few steps inside the penalty area.
Rivas dove in an attempt to stop a shot. He took out Sandoval in the process, earning a yellow card and gifting the Nighthawks with a penalty shot. Pais would take the shot, having already scored one penalty opportunity this season. Rivas dove right, Pais shot to his left.
The Reinhardt transfer secured his fourth goal of the season and second game-winner, as UNG would hold on for the 2-1 victory. Pais now leads the PBC in goals, and is tied for the top spot in points with nine and game-winning goals.
As a team, UNG currently possess the conference leader in goals, assists, game-winning goals and points.
The Nighthawks will now welcome preseason PBC favorite Clayton State to Dahlonega for their next match. UNG will face the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. from the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park.
