DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team had five players selected to the Peach Belt Conference All-Conference Team the league office announced Thursday afternoon. 

Named to the PBC All-Conference First Team were freshman forward Jorge Sandoval and sophomore midfielder Aram Lara. 

Earning PBC All-Conference Second Team selections were freshman forward Maxwell Mitchell, senior midfielder Rafael Oliveira Pais and junior midfielder Vukašin Lukovic. 

Sandoval was also named the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. The newcomer scored three goals while dishing out five assists to total 11 points this season. Sandoval's season was highlighted by a goal-of-the-year candidate in the final 30 seconds of UNG's 2-1 win over Flagler on Oct. 19. 

Sandoval followed Lara's performance last season, marking consecutive PBC Freshman of the Year Honors for UNG. The Nighthawks are the first team since Lander in 2017 to earn consecutive Freshman of the Year awards in the conference. 

Lara continued to add to his conference acclaim this season, earning a PBC First Team All-Conference selection for the second straight season. Lara posted one goal and two assists while being a controlling force in the midfield this season for the Nighthawks. His lone goal was one of the most important ones of the season for UNG.

Tied with Lander 1-1 late in the second half and needing a win to finish second in the PBC, Lara scored with his left foot from outside the box with two-and-a-half minutes remaining, lifting UNG to the win and its second-ever second-place finish in the conference. 

Earning All-Conference Second Team selection were a trio of newcomers for the Nighthawks. Named as a forward for his honor, Mitchell earned the nod after posting four goals, one assist and nine points this year. He had a brace in the season opening win against Francis Marion and consistently gave defenders trouble on the wing all season long. 

Joining Mitchell but earning his selection as a midfielder was Oliveira Pais. The senior transfer from Reinhardt has been quintessential for the Nighthawks this year. He too has collected four goals and one assist for nine points. In the middle of the season, he went on an outstanding stretch, scoring all four goals in a matter of three games, all of which were wins for UNG. For the fourth time in his collegiate career, Oliveira Pais has been named to a postseason all-conference team after having done so three times in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. 

Lukovic earned the final spot on the All-Conference Second Team for his outstanding defense this season. Tallying two assists, Lukovic's value was recognized by the conference voters in his play-making ability and his role as an enforcer on a UNG back line that allowed the second fewest shot attempts within the league. Of the 179 shots the Nighthawks conceded this season, only 151 came in games that Lukovic participated in. 

The second-seeded Nighthawks will look to continue the impressive play from this season in the PBC Tournament this weekend. UNG begins postseason action on Friday, Nov. 15 in Morrow, Ga. at 7:30 p.m.