AUGUSTA — The 19th-ranked University of North Georgia women's soccer team has been picked to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference's preseason coaches' poll. No. 5 Columbus State was a heavy favorite to win the league, receiving eight of a possible 12 first place votes. North Georgia, which received one first place vote, slightly edged out Clayton State and Armstrong State in the preseason prognostication.
The Cougars ran through the conference slate unscathed last season with their toughest contest coming against the Nighthawks -- who finished second in league play -- in a 1-0 victory in Dahlonega. The two teams met again in the PBC Tournament championship game with an identical result.
UNG returns five of its top six goal scorers from last season's team which led the nation in scoring offense, total goals, total points and points per game. The Nighthawk midfield will see a boost with the addition of Jade Pennock, a PBC All-Conference honoree last year at Montevallo who joins All-Region selections Megan Gill, Sophia Matonak, and Rachel VanHorn.
Senior goalkeeper Mallory Sayre returns for her final season in the Gold City, coming off an impressive junior campaign that was highlighted by a 0.78 goals against average.
The Nighthawks will open their season on Sept. 5 with a road trip to Valdosta State. The match is set for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
