Dani Freire scored in the first minute, and the Flagler College men’s soccer team defeated No. 20 North Georgia 2-0 on Oct. 11 in Dahlonega, Georgia. The road victory extended Flagler’s winning streak to four matches and handed North Georgia its first home loss of the season.
Flagler improved to 7-1-4 overall and 7-0-1 in Peach Belt Conference play. North Georgia fell to 7-2-5 overall and 3-2-4 in league competition. The victory also gave Flagler three Peach Belt Conference points.
Freire provides instant lead
Freire put Flagler ahead within the opening minute with an unassisted goal. He got behind the North Georgia backline, beat the goalkeeper to the ball inside the box and chipped a shot over the keeper.
The goal was Freire’s first as a Saint. He played 55 minutes in the victory as Flagler carried a 1-0 lead into the late stages.
Okenla adds insurance
Henry Okenla gave Flagler additional separation in the 88th minute with an unassisted goal. The junior came off the bench, settled the ball after a North Georgia clearance attempt and sent a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
Okenla’s goal was his third of the season and eighth of his career. Oliver Lindstrom led Flagler with two shots in 71 minutes, while Finn Weigelt recorded one shot on goal in 55 minutes.
LaBelle records clean sheet
Xander LaBelle made his sixth start of the season in goal and recorded his third clean sheet. He stopped all three shots on goal that he faced.
North Georgia held a 6-5 advantage in shots, but Flagler secured the shutout and the two-goal victory on the road.
Flagler reaches conference milestone
Flagler has now won seven Peach Belt Conference matches, its most since 2022. North Georgia dropped to 3-2-4 in league play after suffering its first home loss of the season.
What comes next
Flagler College will host USC Aiken on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast on the Peach Belt Conference Sports Network, and admission is free.
FSB Take
Flagler College men’s soccer team combined an immediate breakthrough with a late insurance goal to secure an important road victory. Freire’s first-minute finish set the tone, Okenla’s late goal closed the match and LaBelle’s three saves preserved the clean sheet. Flagler now carries a four-match winning streak and a 7-0-1 Peach Belt Conference record into its home match against USC Aiken.
Source: Original report