DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team opened the 2025 season with a 3-3 draw against No. 9 Coker at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park Thursday night.
After a momentum-building season in 2024 in which the Nighthawks finished second place in the Peach Belt Conference for the second time in program history, expectations were high heading into the new campaign.
With a tough opponent in the ninth-ranked Cobras who won 15 games and made a run to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen last year, UNG had its hands full to begin the year. That was evident when Coker scored just four minutes into the game.
The Cobras did not hold the lead for long as sophomore forward
Maxwell Mitchell dribbled into the box just eight minutes later. Mitchell was tripped inside the box in the midst of his move, forcing a whistle and a Nighthawk penalty kick.
Senior defender
Vukašin Lukovic stepped up to take the PK. The 2024 PBC All-Conference Second Team and All-Tournament Team selection stepped forward, fired a shot towards the left post and buried the ball past a diving Carter Nunnery to tie the game.
However, less than two minutes later Coker took the lead again on a goal from Christian Johnson.
In a wild turn of events, nearly 90 seconds after the Cobras took the lead, UNG was awarded another penalty after senior forward
Santiago Cano was tripped up in the box.
Lukovic came forward to take his second PK attempt. He elected to go left once more, as did Nunnery, but once again Lukovic's power zipped the ball past the outstretched hands of the Cobras keeper and into the back of the net.
Less than 16 minutes into the new season, Lukovic had already doubled his goals total from a year ago. The Arizona Western transfer who arrived in Dahlonega last year now has three goals in a Nighthawk uniform after Thursday's brace.
The game would remain tied until halftime as neither team was able to convert on any offensive opportunities in the rest of the half.
Weather became a factor in the latter stages of the first half as rain began to fall on the UNG Soccer Field. Both teams thrashed around in the moisture to open the second half until Coker broke the tie in the 65th minute.
The clock was no longer the Nighthawks' friend as the game rolled on. Numerous chances came up empty for UNG and stress levels rose both on the field and in the stands.
A highly emotional and physical battle between two elite teams had reached a boiling point. With a total of six yellow cards having been handed out on Thursday, it was clear this early-season, regional matchup meant everything to both squads.
With time winding down and UNG pressing the issue on offense, the Nighthawks were given an opportunity to tie the game on a corner kick in the 85th minute. Sophomore sensation
Jorge Sandoval jogged to the near corner to take the set piece.
Sandoval is no stranger to heroics. The 2024 PBC Freshman of the Year and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team selection made his mark last year with one of the most impressive goals in college soccer. In the first game of 2025, he had a chance to help UNG earn another big result.
As the clock slowly ticked under four minutes, Sandoval sailed a curling shot off his left foot towards the center of the goal. With a beautifully placed ball, Sandoval put Mitchell in position to tie the game. Mitchell maneuvered between defenders and the keeper Nunnery to guide the ball into the back of the net as it landed from Sandoval's cross. It bounced into the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
With less than four minutes to play. Neither team was able to break the 3-3 tie, ending the game in a draw.
For the second year in a row, Mitchell scored a late goal in the season opener for the Nighthawks. Last season, the freshman scored a header for the game winner on a late corner kick against Francis Marion. His first goal of 2025 helped UNG draw with the ninth-ranked Cobras to begin the new year.
Now the Nighthawks will prepare for a Sunday showdown against Lincoln Memorial. UNG will head to Harrogate, Tenn. to face the Railsplitters on Sept. 7 at 3 p.m.
