8/23/18
AUGUSTA, Ga. – For the first time in program history, the University of North Georgia men’s soccer team leads the Peach Belt Conference in preseason all-conference selections, putting four players on the team as announced by the league office Thursday morning.
Seniors Adam Farrell, Gabriel Garcia, Alex Grant and Matt Sharman were voted on to the team by the league’s head coaches. Young Harris added three players to the 11-player squad, while Clayton State and Lander each had two players selected.
Farrell, from Dublin, Ireland, played in 17 games last season for the Nighthawks, including 16 starts. He scored four goals in 2017 and was named to the 2017 PBC All-Tournament team after scoring a goal in the semifinals against the Mountain Lions to advance to UNG’s first-ever championship appearance.
Garcia, from Vinhedo, Brazil, was named second-team All-Conference in 2017 and made the All-Tournament team as well. He notched a team-best seven assists last year and put five goals in the net. His assist total was third best in the PBC last season.
Grant, from Wolverhampton, England, led UNG with 10 goals, good for second in the league a year ago. He had three game-winners and also assisted on five Nighthawk goals during the season. He was named PBC All-Tournament and All-Academic in 2017.
Sharman, from Sandwich, England, was a first-team All-Conference selection a year ago after leading the Peach Belt in saves and save percentage. He recorded five clean sheets, second in the league, including two in the PBC Tournament.
The Nighthawks will open up the season on August 31 at Palm Beach Atlantic with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
