MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — The 2016 University of North Georgia women's soccer team advanced further than any team before it, making it to the NCAA DII Southeast Region Final but a trip to the Elite Eight just wasn't in the cards Friday evening as the Nighthawks fell to a familiar foe in No. 5 Columbus State, 2-0. The defeat ends UNG's season at 15-3-3.
Rachel VanHorn looked to give North Georgia a first half lead in the 24th minute with one of the only shots on goal in the half, but just before the ball reached the goal line Columbus defender Amanda Murphy shut the door, knocking the ball away for a team save that proved vital.
The game was scoreless at the break but the Cougars didn't waste much time breaking the tie in the opening minutes of the second half as Olivia Janowitz found the back of the net in a shot across the box to the far post in the 53rd.
The Nighthawk backline continued its gritty play keeping the high-powered CSU offense for the next 33 minutes. As UNG shifted its focus more towards the attack trying to find the equalizer needed to force overtime, Cassandra Wade punched in the second goal of the game in the 86-th minute after a failed clearance. It would end up being the last shot of the game.
