DAHLONEGA – Freshman forward Blanca Cruz of the No. 24 University of North Georgia women's soccer team has been named as the first Chick-fil-A Nighthawk of the Week of the 2024-25 athletic year after an impressive performance this weekend. 

In Cruz's second game of her collegiate career, the standout forward proved why she's one of the best young strikers in women's college soccer. 

Cruz blasted two goals past the Saints of Limestone to lift the Nighthawks to a 2-0 victory and their first road win of the season. Cruz's brace is the first for a UNG freshman since Katey Derkay back on Nov. 2, 2019. 

Cruz made the short trip north to Dahlonega after an outstanding career at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga. As a junior, she totaled an outstanding 37 goals and nine assists which earned her a spot on the Georgia High School Soccer 6A All-State First Team. She was also named the Gwinnett Goal Club's Class 6A Player of the Year as a junior. In her four-year career, Cruz scored over 100 goals and tallied over 30 assists.

Sunday proved how Cruz is perhaps the latest example of a newcomer providing a significant role in the 2024 version of the UNG women's soccer program. She and the Nighthawks resume action this week on Wednesday, Sep. 11 at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park in a 4:30 p.m. showdown with Young Harris.

The Nighthawk of the Week title sponsor is Chick-fil-A of Dahlonega, with each week's winner being treated to a complimentary combo meal at the Dahlonega restaurant. Located at 488 Morrison Moore Parkway East, Chick-fil-A loves to give back to the local area and is proud to be a community partner with UNG Athletics.

Beginning in the fall of 2014, the UNG athletic department began honoring one student-athlete each Monday morning as the Nighthawk of the Week. The award is chosen each Sunday evening by an award selection committee made up of members of the UNG athletics administrative staff.