8/31/18

DAHLONEGA – Senior Renee VanHorn scored twice and four other players chipped in as the University of North Georgia women’s soccer team scored six unanswered to win the 2018 season opener over Converse, 6-1, Thursday night in front of an over-capacity crowd at the UNG Soccer Complex.

After a 17th minute goal by the Valkyries, Taylor Malasek tied the game up with a strike from the top of the box in the 30th minute. VanHorn gave UNG the lead as the first half neared completion off a McKay Shively cross in the 44th minute.

The Nighthawks continued to pressure Converse in the defensive third, forcing multiple turnovers that led to goals in the second half. Asa Thorsen scored in the 51st minute, while Meredith Tucker netted her first collegiate goal four minutes later to give North Georgia a 4-1 lead. VanHorn’s second goal off another Shively cross was followed by a Katlyn Kauffman header that brought the game to its final score.

NOTES
– The Nighthawks have now won four of the last five season openers and continue their streak of home openers without a loss. UNG is 8-0-1 in home openers since 2010.

– Hannah Goudy had four saves in 83 minutes between the posts for the Nighthawks. For Converse, freshman Darian Bankston stopped 15 Nighthawk shots.

– UNG had 36 shots in the contest, 21 of which were on target.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will have a quick turnaround as they will play host to Anderson on Saturday in Dahlonega. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the UNG Soccer Complex.