ST. AUGUSTINE - The No. 23 Flagler College women's soccer team defeated the University of North Georgia, 4-2, in a Peach Belt Conference match-up Saturday afternoon. Andrea Fernandez netted three goals in the win.
 
"The staff is extremely happy with the selfless performance the team gave today," said head coach Ashley Martin. "Getting the early goal gave the team real confidence, and the defensive work from the entire team made the difference for us today."
 
The Saints (3-1-2, 2-0-1) came out hot, scoring the first goal in the first minute of the match. Josefine Nilsen put high pressure on the Nighthawks' defense and stripped the ball away which allowed Nilsen to score from the right corner of the box to earn her second goal of the season. 
 
About nine minutes later, Flagler earned a penalty kick, taking an early 2-0 lead. Fernandez launched the ball into the bottom-left corner of the goal, scoring her first goal of the day and third of the season. 
 
In the 16th minute, Fernandez gave the Saints a 3-0 lead with her second goal of the game. Emery Biggs was in the midfield when she sent the ball towards Nilsen on the right side of the box. Nilsen crossed it to Fernandez who sent the ball flying into the top left corner of the goal. 
 
Fernandez, the girl on fire, made it a 4-0 game when her corner kick from the left side curved into the goal securing her hat trick in the 24th minute. The sophomore leads the Saints with five goals this season.
 
North Georgia (4-2-1, 2-1-0) got on the board in the 43rd minute when Megan Dumond netted a goal on an assist from Alexa Aronoff to set a 4-1 score going into the second half. 
 
The Nighthawks scored the final goal of the day in the 71st minute when Abbie Crane assisted Skylar Abbott who shot from outside the right post, finalizing the 4-2 score. 
 
Flagler's offense controlled the tempo of the game with 18 shots, taking 14 on goal. The Saint's defense held North Georgia to only eight shots, four of them on goal. The Nighthawks' Sierra Fowler had 10 saves while Madison North made two stops in the net for the Saints. 
 
The Saints host Tampa for a non-conference match Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in their third-straight home game.
 
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