AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's soccer team continued its winning ways with a 2-1 road win at Georgia Southwestern Saturday night. The victory marks a 5-1 record in the last six games for UNG. Head coach Anel Lilic's squad is now 6-4-1 overall on the season. 

At 4-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and with 12 points on the season, the Nighthawks are now tied for first place in the conference with Clayton State and Flagler. 

UNG jumped out to an early lead thanks to an impressive connection between sophomore midfielder Aram Lara and senior defender Alejandro DeVillena. 

On a team headlined by the firepower from 28 newcomers, it was two returners who helped the Nighthawks get on the board early. 

After receiving the ball about eight yards outside the box on the near side, Lara looked towards the goal and aimed a perfect cross over the defense. The ball landed just short of the far post and on the foot of DeVillena who directed it into the back of the net. 

Lara, the 2023 PBC Freshman of the Year, earned his first points of the season with the assist. For a player that came in with large expectations after a two-goal, nine-assist season last year, it appeared a weight was lifted off his shoulder with his first helper of the season.

DeVillena's goal gave UNG a 1-0 lead and marked his first score of the season. He's just the second defender to find the back of the net this year.

The Nighthawks built on the lead thirteen minutes later thanks to a miscue in the box for the Hurricanes. 

As UNG pressured the net, the ball was deflected into a GSW defender's hand, forcing a penalty kick opportunity for the Nighthawks. 

Freshman forward Maxwell Mitchell lined up to take the shot. GSW goalkeeper Noah Kasin dove to his left as Mitchell released the ball. Kasin guessed correctly, but Mitchell rifled the ball just under the crossbar and into the net for the score. 

The goal marked Mitchell's fourth of this season which is tied for the team best. It's also his second time finding the net in the last three games. 

The Nighthawks held the 2-0 lead into and beyond the halftime break. It wasn't until the 86th minute that the Hurricanes scored their first goal of the contest. Despite the late score, the UNG defense held strong and kept GSW off the scoreboard for the final four minutes of the game. 

Now the Nighthawks return home for a contest against USC Aiken on Wednesday, Oct. 16. UNG and the Pacers will kick off from the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park at 7 p.m.