Women's soccer team punches NCAA ticket

In their half of the NCAA Southeast Regional, the No. 2 seed Nighthawks welcome No. 7 seed Anderson (11-5-2) in a 3 p.m. Nov. 21 first-round match at UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park in Dahlonega, Georgia. No. 3 seed Columbus State (14-5-1) takes on No. 6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne (10-4-3) at noon Nov. 21. The winners of those two contests will match up in the second round at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 in Dahlonega with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. Ticket information will be available on the Southeast Regional website.

UNG is seeking to build on its Sweet 16 run in 2024, when it defeated Wingate and Lander during the opening weekend in Hickory, North Carolina.

The Nighthawks fell 1-0 to Columbus State in the Nov. 15 PBC tournament championship match in Dahlonega, Georgia, following a 2-1 victory against Flagler in the semifinals and a 3-0 triumph against Clayton State in the quarterfinals.

Sixth-year head coach Kayley Ralton has now led UNG to the NCAA tournament in all five seasons it has been held during her tenure. She has tallied a 71-24-12 overall record.

Junior Grace McGill leads UNG with 10 goals, with sophomores Nina Lopez and Blanca Cruz each adding nine. Eight players have at least four assists, led by seven from Lopez.

NCAA Southeast Regional

UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park

Dahlonega, Georgia

Friday, Nov. 21

No. 3 seed Columbus State vs. No. 6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne, noon

No. 2 seed North Georgia vs. No. 7 seed Anderson, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23

Columbus State-Lenoir-Rhyne winner vs. North Georgia-Anderson winner, 3 p.m.