UNG rally falls short in 5-3 loss
Business October 3, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After trailing 3-0 early in the second half, the University of North Georgia men’s soccer team reeled off a trio of goals in 12 minutes, but Flagler would score twice more late to earn a 5-3 win Saturday.
The Saints scored in the 22nd, 27th and 57th minutes to jump out to a 3-0 lead, but they quickly saw the lead vanish as North Georgia stormed back starting with Victor Galterio slotting home a pass from Harrison Wright in the 63rd minute. Just 69 seconds later, Gabriel Campora sent home a rebound to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Nighthawks tied the game in the 75th minute as Payge Sinclair scored a rebound, but Flagler would have the final goals, scoring just 26 seconds after Sinclair and then again three minutes later to get to the final score.
NOTES
– Flagler’s Max Birkelund scored three of the goals against UNG, marking his first career hat trick after just eight matches.
– UNG scored its three goals on four shots on target. The Nighthawks took 11 shots overall.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will look to bounce back Wednesday at USC Aiken. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
UNG men’s soccer falls to No. 12 Young Harris, 4-1
Business September 24, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The University of North Georgia men’s soccer team fell Wednesday night at No. 12 Young Harris, 4-1, in a Battle of Blood Mountain matchup.
The Mountain Lions wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as they found the net in the fifth minute to take the 1-0 lead. North Georgia answered in the 41st minute off a corner kick from Santiago Gimenez that found the head of Michael Walsh to level the match.
Young Harris responded, scoring with 15 seconds left in the first half and then twice more in the second half to remain undefeated on the year.
NOTES
– Walsh scored the second goal of his career with the first coming against Georgia Southwestern in the spring season.
– North Georgia was able to get just six shots off with the lone shot on goal going in.
NEXT UP
North Georgia returns home after finishing the two match road trip to host Georgia Southwestern Saturday on Youth Soccer Night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
UNG’s Ananthasane holds 2-shot lead at DBU Women’s Classic
Press Release September 21, 2021
DENTON, Tx. – University of North Georgia women’s golfer Maddie Ananthasane holds a two-shot lead after 36 holes at the DBU Women’s Classic. In addition, the sophomore tied the all-time 18-hole scoring record in the opening round with a 6-under 66.
In the opening round, Ananthasane carded six birdies and an eagle, including going 5-under on the front nine. She backed that round up with a 1-under 71 in the second round that included three birdies and another eagle.
Ananthasane leads the tournament by three shots over UIndy’s Anna Kramer. As a team, UNG finds themselves in a tie for 12th place. No. 7 St. Mary’s leads the tournament as the only team under par through 36 holes. No. 1 DBU and No. 2 Lynn are tied for second, six shots back. No. 3 UIndy and No. 17 West Texas A&M round out the top five.
North Georgia holds a three shot lead over No. 8 Missouri-St. Louis and is one shot back of No. 18 Arkansas Tech. UNG is within four shots of No. 12 Tampa and No. 14 Texas A&M-Commerce.
UNG defeats Young Harris, 1-0 in Women’s Soccer
Press Release September 19, 2021
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The University of North Georgia women’s soccer team took down Young Harris Saturday night, 1-0, earning the upper hand toward a Battle of Blood Mountain point for the Nighthawks.
It took just 81 seconds for North Georgia to find the only goal of the night as Taylor Malasek had her shot saved, but the rebound came back to Abbie Crane who put the ball in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
From there, both defenses prevailed, allowing just four shots each on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
NOTES
– Morgan Ramby earned her second straight clean sheet, making four saves on the night.
– Dating back to last season, Crane has scored in four of her last six matches.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will return home for a non-conference tilt against Lenoir-Rhyne. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
Ananthasane wins UIndy Invitational
Business September 15, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS – University of North Georgia women’s golfer Maddie Ananthasane claimed the individual medalist honor at the UIndy Invitational Tuesday after a final round 74. The Nighthawks finished the tournament in a tie for ninth place as a team.
Ananthasane carded three birdies and an eagle in the final round to push her to a two shot win over Central Missouri’s Hayley Jones. This is Ananthasane’s second win individually in her career with the first coming in the PBC Championship a season ago.
The Nighthawks finished the tournament with a final round 321, tying with Tiffin in the 36 hole event. No. 3 Indianapolis won the event by 16 shots over No. 17 Missouri – St. Louis. No. 23 Lee finished in third, followed by Grand Valley State and Carson-Newman.
North Georgia will next travel to Dallas Baptist for the DBU Women’s Classic next week.
Zediker leads UNG golf to seventh-place finish at Kiawah Island
Press Release September 15, 2021
Noah Zediker fired a final-round 68 Tuesday.
PRESS RELEASE
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – The No. 19 University of North Georgia men’s golf team beat the previous 54-hole team scoring record by six shots as they finished the Kiawah Island Invitational in seventh place Tuesday.
North Georgia shot a 4-under 284 on the final day of the tournament to finish at 11-under 853. The final round score is also good for a tie for the third best single round in program history.
Noah Zediker was the top Nighthawk at a tie for 16th in the final individual standings after a final round 68 put him at 5-under 211, ending up a stroke outside of the top five 54-hole scores in program history. Hughes Threlkeld finished his first collegiate tournament in a tie for 23rd at 3-under.
Erskine shot 33-under on the week and won the tournament by three shots over West Georgia and No. 10 USC Aiken. No. 9 Lee finished in fourth, seven shots back, followed by a tie between Lander and Belmont Abbey for fifth. Individually, West Georgia’s Austin Felton won the tournament at 15-under, five shots clear of the field.
North Georgia will now turn its attention to hosting the 8th Annual UNG Fall Invitational next week at Achasta.
Ananthasane tied for lead after 36 holes
Community September 14, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
CARMEL, Ind. – University of North Georgia women’s golfer Maddie Ananthasane sits in a tie for the tournament lead after 36 holes at the UIndy Invitational Monday. The Nighthawks find themselves in ninth place overall.
The sophomore shot back-to-back rounds of 72 Monday, hitting a total of eight birdies on the day. Over her final nine holes of the day, Ananthasane shot 3-under and was 2-under on the back nine over both rounds.
The Nighthawks improved by 12 shots round over round on the opening day of the tournament and are just six shots out of eighth place. No. 3 UIndy leads the tournament by 18 shots over No. 17 Missouri – St. Louis and Carson-Newman. No. 23 Lee and No. 6 Findlay round out the top five.
Nighthawks women’s soccer team earns draw with Carson-Newman
Press Release September 6, 2021
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The University of North Georgia women’s soccer team scored three straight goals in the first half and then held on to earn a 3-3 draw at Carson-Newman Thursday afternoon.
After an opening goal by the Eagles in the 11th minute, Abbie Crane answered with her first goal in the 23rd minute on a breakaway to knot the game up at 1-1. Seven minutes later, Taylor Malasek fired a rocket past the C-N keeper from 35 yards out to give UNG its first lead of the night. North Georgia extended the lead to 3-1 on Crane’s second goal in the 40th minute.
Carson-Newman responded in a big way in the second half, coming out and scoring just three minutes into the second half and again in the 65th minute to tie the match. From there, the Nighthawks saw the game out to finish with a draw.
NOTES
– Crane earned her second career brace. Her first two-goal outing came back in February against Francis Marion.
– Carson-Newman took 13 shots in the second half to UNG’s four. Both teams had seven shots on goal.
– The draw is the first in a season opener since 2009 when UNG tied Tampa, 2-2. It is also the first time in program history that UNG has scored three goals in a draw.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will open the home slate Wednesday
Annual block party marred by fights, report of sexual assault
News August 24, 2021
Greg Williams
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – An annual block party that marks the start of a new semester at the University of North Georgia got out of hand Saturday, leading the property owner to call police and ultimately to several arrests for assault and one claim of sexual assault.
UNG Public Safety Director Greg Williams and Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard posted a video account of the event to appeal to parents to talk to their teens about attending large, unauthorized gatherings.
Sherriff Stacy Jarrard
Williams said, “Parents, as we told you when we first brought your child to the university, we are committed to providing a safe environment for them to learn, work and play in. That may include holding people accountable for their actions when necessary.”
The party took place off campus at University Heights on Roberta Drive and was not sanctioned by the university.
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard stated, “In the future there will be more arrests. Our only objective is to keep people safe. It is unacceptable to have younger people assaulted and sexually assaulted and others where there are fights involved. We can’t tolerate that.”
Former county commissioner Sherrill announces campaign for mayor
Business August 16, 2021
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Former Lumpkin County Commissioner Doug Sherrill has announced his campaign for Mayor of Dahlonega.
“After careful consideration and prayer, I am officially announcing my candidacy for the Mayor of the City of Dahlonega,” Sherrill said Sunday. “I believe we live in the best community in all of Georgia and I am proud to call this city my home. Dahlonega needs a fresh perspective of leadership and I am looking forward to serving this community as your next mayor.”
Sherrill earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Business from North Georgia College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Georgia.
Sherrill said during his tenure on the Board of Commissioners he played a key role in establishing budgets that cut taxes while promoting smart growth. “We worked to improve economic development, voted to allocate funding for the Development Authority and facilitated bringing business to Lumpkin County,” he said. “We kept government regulations within reason and assisted all property owners in protecting their interests. We kept government regulations within reason and assisted all property owners in protecting their interests.”
In addition to his service on the Board of Commissioners, Sherrill, is a professional land surveyor, a lecturer at the University of North Georgia, and an ordained minister. He also served on the District 2 Board of Health and is Vice Chair of Resource and Environment for the Association County Commissioners Georgia.
“I will provide the City of Dahlonega the leadership and conservative principles needed in this tough political climate,” he said. “I am not new to politics and most of you are well acquainted with my conservative record. I have strong relationships with our current elected officials and am well acquainted with the needs of our community. I am proud of my experience and intend to use my abilities to benefit the citizens of the City of Dahlonega. I look forward to speaking and engaging with each of you and I humbly ask for your support and vote.”
Levensteins earns All-American status
Press Release June 6, 2021
DAHLONEGA – University of North Georgia baseball player Nik Levensteins earned two more All-American accolades when he was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Second Team and the D2CCA Third Team, each association announced Friday afternoon.
Levensteins is the fifth All-American in the NCAA era and the first since Michael Gouge earned third team honors in 2017.
The sophomore from Arvada, Colorado, hit .338 with 19 homers and 62 RBI, adding 11 doubles while posting a .763 slugging percentage. He had 54 hits and 49 runs scored on the season. He was a consensus first team All-Southeast Region honoree as the designated hitter before earning the NCBWA Third Team All-American accolade earlier this postseason.
At the conference level, he was named first team All-Peach Belt and the Elite 16 Award winner.
UNG softball season ends in heartbreaking loss to Biola
Business May 30, 2021
Marley Holmes
DENVER – The second-ranked University of North Georgia softball team saw their season come to a close in a 5-2 loss to No. 24 Biola Friday evening.
The Eagles plated four in the third, highlighted by a three-run homer. Biola put up another run in the seventh on a RBI single.
North Georgia rallied in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases for the second straight inning. Marley Holmes brought home the Nighthawks’ first run on a pinch hit RBI single before a bases loaded walk was issued to Gracie Mixson, but BU got out of the jam to secure their spot in the championship series.
NOTES
– North Georgia finishes the season at 43-8.
– UNG left 12 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings.
– The senior class finishes their careers with a record of 221-42.
UNG rallies to 8-4 win over Valdosta St. in NCAA Division II Tournament
Press Release May 29, 2021
Tybee Denton
PRESS RELEASE
DENVER – Down 3-0 through four complete, the University of North Georgia softball team’s bats finally came alive as they eliminated No. 9 Valdosta State Friday, 8-4, at the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
The Blazers got on the board in the first inning, taking advantage of a Nighthawk error to hit a two-run homer. VSU scored again in the fourth on a solo homer to take a 3-0 lead. North Georgia finally answered in the fifth, scoring their first two runs of the tournament on a Madison Simmons bomb to left field.
The Nighthawks took the lead in the sixth, loading the bases and pushing across a run on a Blazer error and two more on a Kaylyn Anthony single through the left side to make the score 5-3. North Georgia scored three more in the seventh on another Blazer error and a Shelby Hammontree RBI single to left. VSU scored one off a solo homer in the bottom of the frame, but that was all they could get.
NOTES
– Tybee Denton (4-3) earned the win in relief, allowing just one run off two hits over three innings of work.
– Valdosta State committed five errors in the game, leading to all eight runs being unearned.
– Madi Perry was 3-for-4 in the game to lead the way for UNG at the plate.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will play in another elimination game tomorrow at 1 p.m. EDT against No. 18 Saint Anselm
Chambers wins Elite 90 award
Press Release May 28, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
DAHLONEGA – Laken Chambers, a junior from the University of North Georgia is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
Chambers, majoring in Middle Grades Education, currently carries a 4.00 GPA. Chambers was presented with the award during a pregame ceremony Thursday afternoon in Denver.
Chambers is the first UNG student-athlete to win the Elite 90 award and the seventh all-time by a student-athlete in the Peach Belt Conference.
The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.
UNG crowned Southeast Region Champs Punches ticket to NCAA Division II finals
Press Release May 23, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
DAHLONEGA – For the first time since 2018, the No. 2 University of North Georgia softball team can call themselves the Southeast Region Champions as they swept No. 5 Lincoln Memorial on Championship Saturday to punch their ticket to Denver for the NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
GAME ONE – #2 UNG 4, #5 LMU 0
Laken Chambers
North Georgia found themselves in a jam in the top of the second as the Railsplitters loaded the bases with just one out before Laken Chambers started a 1-2-3 double play to get the Nighthawks out of the jam. UNG responded in the bottom of the third with a two-run bomb from Shelby Hammontree to take a 2-0 lead.
The Nighthawks kept it going in the fourth, plating a run off a Marley Holmes double to right before converting on a sacrifice squeeze by Cheyanne Mosteller to get to the final 4-0 score. LMU loaded the bases two more times late in the game but could not push across a run.
Chambers earned the win, throwing 110 pitches and scattering nine hits.
GAME TWO – #2 UNG 3, #5 LMU 1
Madi Perry
North Georgia struck first in the top of the second as Gracie Mixson singled to plate Madi Perry, but the Railsplitters tied it up in the bottom of the frame with a RBI single. It took all the way to the sixth inning for either team to score again as Madison Simmons homered to center field to plate the final two runs of the game.
A groundout to Perry after a fourth double play of the day gave UNG the Southeast Regional crown and a chance to compete for the national title.
Chambers (14-0) tossed 95 more pitches in the second game, allowing just the one run across the complete game.
NOTES
– North Georgia will head to the national finals for the sixth time in program history, including 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2018.
– Perry went 4-for-5 on the day, including a 3-for-3 performance in the championship game.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will head to Denver, Colorado, to compete for the national title. Game times, seedings and opponents will be announced in the coming days.
No. 2 UNG softball advances to Championship Saturday with 5-3 win
Press Release May 22, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
DAHLONEGA – Laken Chambers tossed over six innings in relief as the No. 2 University of North Georgia softball team staved off elimination with a 5-3 win over No. 8 Young Harris Friday evening in the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Southeast Regional.
North Georgia struck first in the top half of the first when Madison Simmons knocked a triple into right center to give UNG an early 1-0 lead, but the Mountain Lions answered in the bottom half of the inning on a Jill Torres two-run homer that gave YHC the lead.
No one scored again until the fourth when UNG used RBI singles from Madi Perry, Gracie Mixson and Shelby Hammontree to push four runs across and retake the lead at 5-2. Torres hit a solo homer in the fifth inning, but Chambers shut the door to push the Nighthawks to the final day of the regional.
NOTES
– Chambers improved to 12-0, tossing 6.1 innings and allowing just a run off four hits. She struck out a pair as well.
– North Georgia advances to the regional final for the seventh straight year. UNG has advanced out of the regional in all but one of those seasons.
– Hammontree, Simmons and Mixson all had two hits.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will battle No. 5 Lincoln Memorial at 12 noon Saturday. To advance on to the NCAA Division II Softball Championships, UNG must beat LMU twice Saturday.