DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia men's soccer team suffered its second loss of the season Saturday evening. The Nighthawks fell 2-1 to No. 20 Lincoln Memorial in a hotly contested match at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park. 

The first half was largely a back and forth contest that favored LMU. While the Railsplitters were unable to break through on the scoreboard, they held serve on offense, releasing eight shots compared to UNG's one. 

Even still, the game remained tied 0-0 at the halftime break. Only one yellow card was assessed in what was a rather clean first half. The scoring and cards would both change in the second frame.

Nighthawk junior midfielder Mikey Jensen got the first yellow card of the second half in the 47th minute. One minute later, LMU's Gian-Carlo Kama was given a yellow card as well. 

In the 55th minute, UNG junior defender Christian Carlton was given a yellow card for a hard foul. On the ensuing free kick, LMU scored the first goal of the game as David McDougall broke the tie. 

After UNG sophomore goalkeeper Aleksa Lukic was called for a foul inside the UNG penalty box, Railsplitter Ronan O'Mahony Blondel extended LMU's lead with a penalty kick goal to make it 2-0. 

Despite leading 2-0 with 20 minutes left in the contest, the Railsplitters were given three more cards before the game was over, two of which were red and both were for dissent. 

As the game wound down, UNG turned up the pressure, trying to even the contest. It moved a step closer after being awarded a penalty kick in the 81st minute. 

After a 50-50 ball was lobbed into the box, UNG junior forward Santiago Cano was fouled while going up for a header. The referee blew the whistle and Cano was awarded a penalty shot. The striker buried it, bringing the Nighthawks within a goal. 

Despite elevated pressure and a number of last-second chances for the Nighthawks, LMU held on for the victory. 

The Nighthawks will now get ready for their first Peach Belt Conference matchup of the season as they head to Greenwood, S.C. to face Lander on Wednesday, Sep. 18 at 7:30 p.m.