North Georgia Downs Pirates, 2-1; Burton Equals PBC Mark

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The annual Dahlonega gold rush turned into a goal rush for host North Georgia on Saturday as the host Saints sprinted out to a 2-0 lead, then held on for a 2-1 Peach Belt Conference victory over Armstrong Atlantic State in Dahlonega.

The Saints (7-3-2, 3-2-1 PBC) have now beaten the Pirates (10-3-2, 6-2 PBC) two straight times in the regular season and hands AASU its first losing streak of the season.

North Georgia got on the board first in the 17th minute as Kelly Penston tracked down a bouncing ball in the box and beat AASU keeper Tracey Mitchell for the early 1-0 lead.

Halftime ended with the score at 1-0, even though the Pirates outshot the Saints, 8-4, in the first 45 minutes.

The Pirates had several tying opportunities early in the second half, including a Morgan Mitchell header in the 52nd minute and an Erin Holt shot wide in the 55th minute, but the Saints again found the net off a set piece as Kelsey Martin's header on a corner kick from Casey Smith in the 64th minute gave the Saints a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead.

AASU cut the lead to one in the 83rd minute as senior Kristin Burton's header, off of the cross by Þórdís Pétursdótti, to make the score 2-1. The goal was the 83rd of Burton's career, tying her with Olaitan Yusuf for the PBC's all-time career goal lead.

North Georgia, however, held the Pirates without a shot over the final seven minutes of the match to close out the victory.

AASU held a 13-9 advantage in shots, as well as a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. North Georgia keeper Kristin Ross made four saves in net, while Mitchell made three saves for the Pirates.

The Pirates return to action on Monday, October 19, with a 3:30 p.m. matchup against No. 20-ranked Tusculum. The Pirates will honor their three seniors - Burton, Kayley Ralton and Sam Held - in a ceremony before the match.