DAHLONEGA – Mady Neff netted her sixth goal of the 2026 season to help the No. 17 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team take down No. 15 Lander 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The Nighthawks (7-3) came into this nationally-ranked matchup facing a Lander team that had only surrendered one goal this season. Neff and the Nighthawks broke through against a stout defense to hand the Bearcats their first loss of the season.
After a scoreless first 29 minutes, Nina Lopez passed the ball off to an open Neff making her way to the top left corner of the box. With a defender in front of her, Neff stopped in her tracks and swung the ball to her right, sending the defender past her to get an open look at the goal. The freshman laced a curling shot between a pair of defenders into the back of the net to put the Nighthawks out in front.
From then on, North Georgia turned to its defense to hold onto the lead. The Nighthawks' backline limited Lander to just four shots in the second half to keep the Bearcats off the board.
Kayleigh Marreel secured her third clean sheet of the season while recording a save against the Bearcats.
With a goal against Lander, Neff is now tied with Lopez for the team lead at six.
North Georgia will hit the road next week for a nonconference match at Wingate on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m.
