North Georgia women's soccer up to 11th in Division II

The North Georgia College & State University women's soccer team jumped up nine spots to 11th in the most recent National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA)/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Women's National Poll it was announced Tuesday afternoon.

Joining the Saints in the most recent top-25 poll are Peach Belt Conference rivals Columbus State in fourth and Armstrong Atlantic State in 24th. Saint Rose remains atop the standings with Fort Lewis in second, Grand Valley State third and Slippery Rock fifth.

The Saints are also currently ranked second in the Southeast Region behind Columbus State. The PBC is well represented in the NSCAA's Southeast Region Rankings with nine conference schools appearing in the top-10.

North Georgia racked up three wins last week including two shutout victories over quality opponents.

The Saints started their week with a 3-1 victory over Belmont Abbey to close out their early-season home tournament. Cicely Taliaferro, Kelly Penston and Abby Trevino all scored in the win over the Crusaders.

Later in the week, the Saints traveled to Pensacola, Fla. where they took part in the West Florida Tournament. North Georgia handed both of their opponents, Florida Southern College and 16th-ranked Rollins College, shutout losses. Abby Trevino had the game-winner in Friday's game against Florida Southern while Sophia Matonak netted her own game-winner on Sunday.

Freshman goalkeeper Mallory Sayre, who was named the PBC's Goalkeeper-of-the-Week Monday, played all 270 minutes in goal for the Saints and made 24 saves, including 11 in Sunday's win over Rollins. Her 11 saves was good enough to tie for second all-time in school history for most saves in a single game. The school record is currently 13.

The North Georgia women have two games this week, one on the road and one at home. The Saints will first travel to Carson-Newman College on Wednesday, Sept. 12 for a 6 p.m. match before opening up a three-game homestand beginning Saturday, Sept. 15. Saturday's game will mark the beginning of the Peach Belt Conference schedule for North Georgia with both the men's and women's soccer teams taking on league newcomer Young Harris in a doubleheader down at North Georgia soccer field. The women will start things off at 5 p.m. with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.