DAHLONEGA – Despite a lopsided shot advantage, the No. 8 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team fell in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship 1-0 to Lenoir-Rhyne on Sunday afternoon at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrel Park.
North Georgia's season concludes with a program-best 18 wins, a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play and an unbeaten slate on the road. UNG won the Peach Belt Conference regular season for the second time in the last three years.
North Georgia (18-3-1) outshot the Bears 17-2 and put five attempts on frame, but Lenoir-Rhyne (12-4-3) made its limited chances count. The visitors netted the game's only goal in the 72nd minute when Lucia Hidalgo finished from Rosa Gonzalez to break the deadlock.
UNG dictated play for long stretches, generating eight shots in the first half and forcing LR goalkeeper Riley Miller into four saves before halftime.
Nina Lopez paced the Nighthawks with eight shots and two attempts on goal, while
Grace McGill and
Kyleigh Drew each had efforts turned away.
The Nighthawks continued to press after the break, adding nine more shots and a pair of corner kicks, but Miller completed the shutout with five total saves. North Georgia finished with a 4-2 edge in corners and committed 14 fouls to Lenoir-Rhyne's eight in a physical, defensive match.
Isabelle Lee went the distance in goal for UNG, facing just two shots as the Nighthawk back line limited Lenoir-Rhyne's opportunities before the decisive strike in the final 20 minutes.
