The University of North Georgia women’s soccer team fell to Peach Belt Conference rival Columbus State University 2-0 in the third round of the NCAA DII Tournaments.
The Cougars sported the best offense in Division II, averaging 4.45 goals a game as well as four players with 10+ goals entering this game against North Georgia This attack put UNG’s back line to the test immediately. It only took the Cougars five minutes to strike first. Vannesa Aviles, one of the four Cougar players with 10+ goals on the season, struck first.
“I think we came out a little bit spooked… they got the first goal and I think it was just hard for us to come back. But I think in the second half, we showed a lot more desire, winning more 50-50 balls and it was just unlucky, honestly,” said UNG forward and team captain Darby Olive.
The Cougars would continue their offensive onslaught with eight more shots to finish the half. The Nighthawks struggled offensively in this game, registering zero goals in the first half.
Similar to the start of the first half, the Cougars came out firing on all cylinders during the second. Their first shot of the half would be their second goal of the day, scored by Emma Beaddow for her ninth goal of the season.
“In the first half, we were playing a 4-3-3 and then in the second half, we went to a 4-4-2. So, I feel like they were trying to get us to play more like in the midfield and kind of pick it up in those half spaces, so we could turn and run at them,” said Olive.
UNG’s defense was able to hold the score at 2-0 the rest of the way.
“They are usually a powerhouse up top. So, we were pretty prepared to have a lot happen in the back. But we also maybe didn’t handle it the best today. We didn’t have the best performance we could have had, but in the future, I know my team is going to take up and really get after this team in the years to come.” – Sierra Fowler, UNG Goalkeeper
The Nighthawks were able to put up four shots in the second half but overall got out shot 18-4 by the Cougars.
“I think that we battled all the way to the end and we didn’t give up. I think this will be better for the experience, but you got to tip your hat to a very good Columbus State team. We are a very young team. We have four seniors who were fantastic for our program. But hopefully with the majority of our team [coming back], getting this experience we will be better next year,” said women’s soccer head coach Kaylee Ralton.
The Nighthawks had only four seniors on the squad this season: Darby Olive, Cat Watry, Sierra Fowler and Mychael Fruits.
“We have to take this experience and let it fuel us,” said Ralton. “So we’re hungry to get to that next level. We don’t want to be satisfied with just being where we got to this year. We want to keep putting the program further and further and honestly, our four seniors have been fantastic. They’ve done some really great things throughout their four years that I think we owe [it] to them to continue it. Continue the legacy going on, and then to push even further forward. I think that they would want that as well.”
The Nighthawks return to Dahlonega as NCAA DII Southeast Region runner-up for the second time in program history. This was the Nighthawks fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and first time under Ralton getting to the Sweet 16.
For the Southeastern Champions, Columbus State will take on West Florida, the winners of the South Region next weekend in Columbus, GA.
