WINGATE, N.C. – Nina Lopez and Mady Neff each scored their seventh goals of the season as the No. 21 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team rallied in the second half to defeat Wingate 2-1 on Wednesday evening.
The Nighthawks came out firing in the opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-1 in the first half. Despite the offensive pressure from North Georgia, Wingate was able to stave off the Nighthawks' chances and keep the score knotted at 0-0 heading into halftime.
In the second half, North Georgia began to capitalize on its opportunities. At the 53:34 mark, Neff found the back of the net for the third-straight game, scoring off an assist from Angelina Noorbehesht to break the deadlock and give the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead.
Seventeen minutes later, Lopez doubled the advantage, slotting the ball past the keeper off an assist from Chloe Diaz to cushion the score 2-0.
With less than six minutes remaining, Wingate chipped away at the deficit with a goal to bring the Bulldogs within one. Following the goal, North Georgia's back line held strong, limiting Wingate to just one more shot to secure the victory.
Lopez and Neff continue to lead the Nighthawks offensively, each recording their seventh goal of an impressive 2026 campaign.
Noorbehesht recorded her second assist in the last three games to help propel the Nighthawks to victory, while Diaz brought her assist total to four on the season.
The Nighthawks (8-3) return to Peach Belt Conference (PBC) action next Wednesday, Oct. 7, against Georgia Southwestern at 5 p.m. at the UNG Soccer Field.
