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The University of North Georgia (ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥) women's soccer team will return to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Friday as the Nighthawks earned the eighth seed in the tournament, the national office announced Monday evening on its NCAA.com selection show.

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ heads into the postseason for the eighth time in the NCAA era, and it is the third consecutive time the Nighthawks have been participants in the tournament. North Georgia compiled a record of 10-4-3 this season, finishing third in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) standings and making a run to the conference tournament's semifinals.

The Nighthawks will face top-seeded and host Columbus State at 3 p.m. Friday in the tournament's opening round in Columbus, Georgia. Ranked fourth nationally, the Cougars enter the tournament after falling to Flagler College in the PBC tournament championship game. CSU will host fourth-seeded Limestone University and the fifth seed, Lenoir-Rhyne University, on their side of the regional.

"It is a fantastic achievement to reach the NCAA tournament. I commend the resilience and dedication the team has shown through a tough regular-season schedule," head coach Kayley Ralton said. "We are now preparing to continue our journey, starting with a match against a strong Columbus State team. The players are in good spirits and looking forward to the challenges ahead."

In the other half of the regional, second-seeded Catawba will host seventh-seeded Wingate University, third-seeded Flagler and sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke. 

More information, including tickets and live coverage, will be posted on the once available.