Lara, Sandoval Earn United Soccer Coaches All-Region Acclaim
DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team had two players selected to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team the association announced Tuesday afternoon.
Sophomore Aram Lara and freshman Jorge Sandoval were the two Nighthawks to earn all region acclaim in the announcement.
Lara was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team after a second outstanding season in Dahlonega this year. The second-year midfielder was a force for UNG this season and eventually earned a Peach Belt Conference First Team All-Conference selection for the second straight season.
Lara posted one goal and two assists while dominating on both ends of the pitch 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.
This is Lara's first postseason award from the United Soccer Coaches.
Sandoval, UNG's smooth-footed, goal scoring winger, started his career with a bang as the freshman was named to the All-Southeast Region Third Team.
The Gainesville, Ga. native totaled four goals while dishing out five assists to total 13 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.
The third Team selection adds to an already impressive season of hardware for Sandoval who was also named to the 2024 PBC All-Conference First Team and as the PBC Freshman of the Year.
Sandoval followed Lara's performance last season, marking consecutive PBC Freshman of the Year Honors for UNG. The Nighthawks are the first team since 2017 to earn consecutive Freshman of the Year awards in the conference.
Sandoval continues to make history this season, becoming the first freshman in UNG men's soccer history to be named to a United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team as a freshman.
Lara and Sandoval became the sixth and seventh players in program history to earn an award from the United Soccer Coaches.
Latest Men's Soccer Stories Feed
- LIVE: UNG Athletics Kicks Off 3rd Annual Day of GivingDAHLONEGA - University of North Georgia Athletics has launched its third annual Athletics Day of Giving, a 24-hour fundraising event that calls on alumni, parents and fans of North Georgia Athletics to invest in the resources needed to cement our quest to building the most competitive, value-added NCAA Division II athletic program in the nation. The initiative will continue throughout the day on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and can support athletic scholarships, support units (Sports Performance, Sports Medicine, Strategic Initiatives, etc.) or one of our 13 intercollegiate sports.
- Nighthawks Fall 4-2 in PBC Tournament SemifinalsMORROW, Ga. – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of third-seeded Flagler in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Friday night in Morrow, Ga.
- Five Nighthawks Earn All-Conference, Sandoval Named PBC Freshman of the YearDAHLONEGA – 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.
- PBC Announces 2024 Men's Soccer Tournament Bracket, UNG Second-Seeded With ByeDAHLONEGA – As the regular season has come to a close, the Peach Belt Conference has announced the bracket for the 2024 PBC Men's Soccer Tournament. The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team has earned the second seed and a first-round bye in the tournament.
- Lara Named PBC Player of the WeekDAHLONEGA -- University of North Georgia men's soccer sophomore midfielder Aram Lara has been named as the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week this week as announced by the league office on Monday.
- Lara Named Chick-fil-A Nighthawk of the WeekDAHLONEGA -- University of North Georgia men's soccer sophomore midfielder Aram Lara has been named as the Chick-fil-A Nighthawk of the Week after sparking one of the best moments of the regular season on Wednesday against Lander.