DAHLONEGA – In the University of North Georgia men's soccer home opener, the Nighthawks struggled to halt a strong Converse team, ultimately falling by a 4-1 final score. The loss marked UNG's first loss at home since Oct. 19, 2022. 

Expectations were murky entering Saturday's home contest for the Nighthawks. Coming off a thrilling win against a solid Francis Marion team, excitement was high. UNG was slated to face a Converse team that has been impressively successful in recent years. However, the Valkyries are a program that only began housing men's soccer in 2021. Converse lost their season opener to Clayton State. In short, the Valkyries remained a bit of mystery prior to kickoff. 

They proved their strength early on in the match, however. In the opening stages, Converse controlled the ball well and limited UNG's chances. When the Nighthawks did have opportunities, the Valkyries shut them down quickly. 

In the 19th minute, senior forward Jaxon Keene jumped on an opportunity as a shot on goal was redirected off the hands of UNG senior goalkeeper Hazel Ley. Keene collided with a defender and smothered the ball across the goal line to open the scoring, 1-0 Valkyries. 

In the 34th minute, Nighthawk junior forward Haris Osmanbasic was tripped up inside the penalty box after a long run into the attacking zone. As the referee ruled a penalty kick for UNG, Osmanbasic stepped up with an opportunity to tie the contest. 

The once-Nighthawk turned return transfer blasted the ball past Converse keeper Mateo Sanchez to even things up at 1-1. 

A glaring issue for UNG in its season opener against FMU was an inability to limit opponent chances after a Nighthawk goal. That issue reared its ugly head again Saturday at home. 

Just two minutes after Osmanbasic's goal, Converse responded as midfielder Jac Humphreys poured in a set piece goal from the near sideline. The Valkyries held a one-goal lead into the halftime intermission. 

Despite the late concession in the opening half, spirits were high at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park as the Nighthawks exited the locker room for the second half. What momentum UNG had from the first half quickly vanished in the second. 

32 seconds into the second frame, senior forward Hayden Gensler received a throw in, spun off his defender and buried a goal to make it 3-1. 

Converse added insult to injury with another goal from senior forward Johannes Haden in the 64th minute. 

Down 4-1, the Nighthawks applied immense pressure for the remainder of the game. UNG had a number of opportunities, all of which were snuffed out by the Converse back line or stopped by Sanchez. The Nighthawks ended the game with 10 corner kicks and five shots on goal. Of those opportunities, Osmanbasic's penalty was the only to find the back of the net. Converse had zero corner kicks and six shots on goal in the win.

UNG will have an opportunity to reinstate its home dominance with an age-old rivalry against Young Harris next week. On Wednesday, Sep. 11, the Nighthawks will host the Mountain Lions at 7 p.m. from the UNG Soccer Field.