DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team took down seventh-seeded Georgia Southwestern 3-0 in the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Tournament quarterfinals at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park Saturday night.Looking to avenge its first-ever loss to GSW from Oct. 19, UNG had plenty of motivation beyond the start of the postseason to help lift the Nighthawks to a dominant victory. 

For the second time this season, UNG comfortably controlled the game in all aspects against the Hurricanes. The Nighthawk back line allowed just three shots in total during the win. Senior goalkeeper Sierra Fowler recorded two saves in her second consecutive shutout.

Meanwhile, the offense manufactured 16 chances in the game and registered 10 shots on goal marking the fifth performance this season in which UNG totaled double-digit attempts on target. 

Despite the dominant performance, it wasn't until the second half that the Nighthawks finally got on the scoreboard. 

In the 61st minute, senior midfielder Darby Olive netted her team-high sixth goal of the season to open the scoring. 

After sophomore forward Chloe Diaz appeared to turn the ball over just outside the GSW penalty box, the deflection from a Hurricane defender came right back to Diaz's feet. She poked the ball forward into the box, perfectly leading Olive into a scoring chance. 

With GSW keeper Alana Beddow charging, Olive immediately rifled the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net to ignite the home crowd for the second-seeded Nighthawks. 

Just 15 minutes later, freshman midfielder Nina Lopez doubled the lead with her third goal of the season. Again it was Diaz contributing a helper on the play as she found the ball in the midfield and tapped it into space that Lopez would soon fill. Lopez found room between the defense and put a shot on target from outside the box. Beddow dove the wrong direction as the ball bounced into the back of the net. 

With just 14 minutes remaining in the contest, UNG completely sealed the deal with Lopez's second goal of the game just four minutes later. 

In front of her own bench, Lopez orchestrated a perfect give-and-go with junior teammate Bailey Oetinger. As Oetinger chipped the ball back to the freshman, Lopez slipped past a defender and sped into attacking territory. Zero defenders stepped up to challenge Lopez as she gladly utilized the space she was given. 

Just a few steps inside the box on the far side, Lopez shifted to her right, planted her left foot and uncorked a laser into the upper right corner of the goal. 

The performance marks the first brace of Lopez's young career. Her first goal of the game was her first goal since Sep. 11 in the third game of the season. The midfielder has four goals and two assists, totaling 10 points this season. 

With the win, the Nighthawks advance to the PBC Tournament semifinals for the sixth straight season. UNG will face third-seeded Flagler in Columbus, Ga. on Friday, Nov. 15 as top-seeded Columbus State will host the final two rounds of the league championship. The PBC office will announce the game times for the semifinal rounds on Monday, Nov. 11. UNG drew 1-1 with Flagler in Dahlonega back on Oct. 10 earlier this season.