North Georgia Advances Past Wingate in Penalty Kick Shootout
SALISBURY, N.C. — The second penalty kick shootout in six days for the University of North Georgia women's soccer team ended in another victory for the Nighthawks, taking down sixth-seeded Wingate 3-1 in penalty kicks, earning head coach Kayley Ralton's first career NCAA tournament win as a Nighthawk.
A rain-soaked field slowed the game's pace considerably as both teams battled to keep their seasons alive. In the 20th minute, Wingate struck first, as Yasmin Cowley took advantage of a miscue by the North Georgia defense to give the Bulldogs the early 1-0 advantage.
The Nighthawks struggled to gain control of the ball as WU played well in possession to stifle the UNG attack. After the halftime break, North Georgia began to push for a goal, with Bailey Vessell rising above the Wingate defenders to earn a header and grab the equalizer, tying the game at 1-1.
Neither side could break the tie in regulation, as the Nighthawks were on their way to the second overtime game in a week. Wingate came out as aggressors in both overtime periods as Sierra Fowler came up with multiple big saves in the game's final moments to keep UNG's season alive. Wingate would outshoot North Georgia 4-0 in the overtime periods, but the tie remained, sending the teams to penalty kicks.
As penalty kicks began, both North Georgia and Wingate failed to convert their first attempts, with Vessell scoring the first for either team on UNG's second attempt. Fowler stopped the second one after Wingate's first shot hit off the crossbar, giving the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead.
Fowler pulled double-duty on the third attempt, perfectly executing her attempt to put the Nighthawks in control. A Wingate-made attempt preceded two misses from both sides as North Georgia needed a make or a save to move onto the next round. Adleigh Wheeler stepped to the spot, looking to end it, and placed it to the keeper's left, sending the Nighthawks to the next round.
It was the first NCAA tournament win for the program since 2019 as UNG looks to continue their season against the winner of second-seeded Catawba and seventh-seeded UNC Pembroke on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 6:00 p.m. North Georgia has played both UNCP and Catawba once this season, both on the road, with the Nighthawks defeating UNCP to open the season 1-0 and falling to then second-ranked Catawba 2-1 after holding a halftime lead.
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