PEMBROKE, N.C. – The No. 12 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team rolled to a 4-2 win over UNC Pembroke (UNCP) in its first road game of the season Saturday afternoon.
The Nighthawks moved to 2-0 on the year and are now 13-4-1 in road games in the last three seasons and 6-1 in such games in the last two years. Saturday also marked the first time since Sept. 18 and 21 of last year that UNG scored four or more goals in consecutive games. The Nighthawks have accomplished that feat three times since head coach
Kayley Ralton took over the program in 2020.
From the moment the match kicked off, UNG was in control. The Nighthawks dominated their attacking half of the field in the first 45 minutes leading to four goals from four different scorers.
Senior forward
Bailey Oetinger penned her name in the box score with an 11th minute goal to open the game at 1-0. Oetinger's goal was assisted by a pair of Nighthawks as senior forward
Kyleigh Drew and sophomore midfielder
Nina Lopez connected with each other before Lopez fed Oetinger on a run from roughly 45 yards out.
For the second game in a row, Oetinger tallied the first goal of the game for UNG, marking her second goal of the season. She is the only Nighthawk with multiple goals through the first two games of the season.
Nine minutes later, Drew found the back of the net on her own. The Georgia Southern transfer scored her first goal in a Nighthawk uniform after she punched in the rebound from a blocked shot directly in front of the net.
UNG then went ahead 3-0 in the 27th minute thanks to a crisp pass from senior defender
Alex Clark. The back line veteran dribbled the ball through the far side of a crowded box and zipped a low pass to sophomore forward
Sam Cottle who was waiting in prime position a few yards in front of the goal line. With a right-footed tap, Cottle buried her first goal of the season to give the Nighthawks a three-goal edge. Clark's assist on the goal was her second of the year.
Just before halftime, sophomore forward
Blanca Cruz broke the game wide open with her first goal of the season. After receiving a throw in from freshman defender
Kathryn Christian, Cruz had the ball just outside the box with her back to the goal. She turned off her left shoulder and blew past her defender. With a strike of the right foot, Cruz sent a line drive shot under the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Braves goalkeeper Addison Ellsworth.
UNG took a comfortable 4-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Nighthawks maintained control of the game but UNCP added a pair of consolation goals in the second half. UNG staved off the comeback effort to come away with the 4-2 victory.
Now the Nighthawks will get ready for a rivalry showdown with Young Harris. UNG heads to Young Harris, Ga. to face the Mountain Lions on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m.
