DAHLONEGA — The No. 3-seed University of North Georgia women's soccer team edged out sixth-seeded Flagler, 3-2, to advance to the Peach Belt Conference semifinal at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans on Friday. With the win the Nighthawks improve to 13-1-3 on the season.
Following a slow start to the game, the Nighthawks struck first in the 34th minute as Brynn Finneran served in a ball from the top corner of the box that was flicked on to Rachel VanHorn, by her sister Renee VanHorn to give North Georgia its first lead of the night, 1-0.
Flagler brought the match back to level pecking in the 58th with a goal from Kaela Harmon coming off of the deflected save of Nighthawk goalkeeper, Kaitlyn Siberski, coming off a free kick from Charlene Nowotny just outside the box.
The VanHorn sisters countered with two quick goals; Rachel blasted her second goal of the night in the upper 90 in the 67th, and Renee in the 68th minute taking advantage of a failed clearance by Flagler just in front of the net.
Flagler regained a glimmer of hope in the 71st minute with a successful penalty kick from Frida Lindblom, but it would not be enough as the Nighthawks made the 3-2 score stand to punch their ticket to Evans.
