DAHLONEGA – The No. 10 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team defeated USC Beaufort (USCB) 1-0 in its Peach Belt Conference opener at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park Saturday afternoon.
The Nighthawks (5-0-1, 1-0 Peach Belt) are now undefeated through the first six games of the season for the second time in the last three years. UNG handed the Sand Sharks (5-1, 0-1 Peach Belt) their first loss of the 2025 season in the victory.
Despite dominating on offense and leading USCB in shots 21-6, the Nighthawks rode the momentum of a first-half goal all the way to victory on Saturday.
In the 33rd minute, senior forward
Kyleigh Drew played a ball to the far side of the field from the middle as she stood on the precipice of UNG's attacking third.
The pass landed beautifully at the feet of senior forward
Bailey Oetinger who dribbled into the box. Oetinger sped past her defender toward the end line.
Just a few minutes prior, Oetinger was in a very similar position and elected to attempt a shot that missed wide right. This time she made the smart play.
After beating her defender, Oetinger sent an elevated pass across the six-yard box towards the back post.
Sophomore forward
Blanca Cruz stepped back to trace the ball and leaped up to head it towards the goal. Despite being stopped by a defender before hitting the net the ball crossed entirely over the goal line, securing Cruz's second goal of the season.
Oetinger and Drew were each credited with an assist, giving them both three helpers on the year and moving them into a tie with senior defender
Alex Clark for the team lead.
Even with a one-goal advantage, the Nighthawks still dominated possession throughout the game. The UNG back line did not allow a shot attempt in the first half and led in shots 11-0 at halftime. In the second half the Nighthawks still led 10-6 in shots and only allowed the Sand Sharks to put forth two shots on target.
With 15 more shots in the game, UNG secured its fourth performance of the season with 14 or more shot attempts than its opponent. The Nighthawks have now out shot opponents 117-47 on the season with a 54-25 edge in shots on goal.
Now UNG will prepare for its first road test within the conference of the season. For their next game the team will head to St. Augustine, Fla. to face Flagler on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 12 p.m.
