DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia men’s soccer team scored three goals in less than 10 minutes to open the second half on its way to a 5-3 win over Flagler Saturday afternoon at the UNG Soccer Complex. The Nighthawks improve to 2-1 in Peach Belt Conference action with the win.
“The first half, we fell asleep due to Flagler slowing the tempo on us,” said head men’s soccer coach Pat Parris. “After we made adjustments at halftime, we were able to speed it up to where we like to play and it showed on the scoreboard.”
Gabriel Garcia opened up the scoring for the Nighthawks in the 11th minute of play, taking an Alex Grant pass and firing home the goal. Flagler answered late in the first half on a Rostand Ndong goal inside the penalty box.
North Georgia came out fast in the second half, starting with a Grant goal in the 50th minute and an Evan Davis goal in the 51st minute. Matheus Abreu joined the scoring column in the 58th minute of action from just outside the box.
After a Ndong goal in the 62nd minute, Carl Ludwig Eriksson put the game away with a penalty kick in the 68th minute. The Saints added a third goal four minutes later, but UNG’s defense stood tall late in the match.
NOTES
– The five goals scored was the most since October 22, 2016, when UNG scored five in a 5-4 win over UNC Pembroke.
– North Georgia earned its first win over Flagler since October 20, 2012, where UNG won on the road, 3-1.
– There were 34 total fouls called in the match, including two bookings.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will look to make it four of the last five wins as they host Lander on Wednesday night. The game will serve as Nighthawks United Night as well as the Tom C. Montgomery Scholarship presentation. Kick off is slated for 7:30 p.m.