DAHLONEGA –
Rafael Kawata's golden goal in the second overtime lifted the No. 2-seeded University of North Georgia men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over No. 7 seed Georgia Southwestern in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals Saturday at the UNG Soccer Field.
The Nighthawks (12-2-5) rallied from a second-half deficit before Kawata delivered the decisive strike in the 108th minute, sending North Georgia to the PBC Tournament semifinals for the fourth consecutive season.
After a scoreless first half, Georgia Southwestern took a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute on a goal by Ryan Burns. North Georgia responded in the 58th minute when junior
Maxwell Mitchell found the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. Mitchell's equalizer proved crucial, keeping the Nighthawks in the match and forcing overtime.
North Georgia continued to apply pressure in the extra periods, with
Max Garnett putting a shot on target in the first overtime. Garnett and
Bryan Benoit helped anchor the Nighthawks' defense, limiting the Hurricanes to six shots and none in either overtime period. Garnett also made a crucial team save in the 31st minute to keep the match scoreless.
The Nighthawks held a 12-6 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Goalkeeper
Aleksa Lukic made three saves for North Georgia, while Georgia Southwestern's Nathan Grady recorded six saves.
With the match still tied in the second overtime, Kawata scored at the 107:12 mark to secure the 2-1 victory. The goal was Kawata's seventh of the season and completed the Nighthawks' comeback.
North Georgia will host No. 3 seed Clayton State on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. for the PBC Tournament semifinals at the UNG Soccer Field.
