DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Ronaldo de Jesus and Felipe Machado scored second-half goals off set pieces as Lincoln Memorial (7-2-2) came from behind to defeat North Georgia (5-6) 2-1 in a nonconference match Wednesday afternoon at the UNG Soccer Complex.
 
The Railsplitters outshot the Nighthawks 21-10 and held an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Danilo da Silva led all players with six shots and three on goal.
 
Alex Grant put North Georgia ahead 1-0 in just the tenth minute on the team's first shot of the game. The play was set up by a long pass to Ivan Acimovic, who found Grant inside the six-yard box.
 
Momentum turned significantly in Lincoln Memorial's favor when Adam Dowdy was issued a straight red card with five minutes left in the first half. From that point on, the Railsplitters outshot North Georgia 16-4 as the Nighthawks were forced to play with just ten men. Lincoln Memorial attempted the next ten shots following Dowdy's red card—five of which landed on goal—but couldn't get one past goalkeeper Matt Sharman.
 
Sharman finished the day with nine saves.
 
De Jesus finally put the Railsplitters on the board in the 69^th minute on a free kick from just outside the box. The ball hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced in for the sophomore's first goal of the year.
 
Machado gave the Railsplitters the lead just over three minutes later on a header off a corner attempt from da Silva. The goal was the junior's second in as many games and was the first game-winning goal of his career.
 
Caio Bergamo made his first start in goal for Lincoln Memorial since the season opener and made two saves as he picked up his second win of the year.
 
Quick Hits
 
- Lincoln Memorial improved to 5-0 over nonconference opponents on the year.

- The Railsplitters improve to 3-1 against the Nighthawks and 2-0 in Dahlonega.

- Lincoln Memorial's +11 edge in shots was its highest of the season.
 
Up Next
 
The Railsplitters resume SAC play with a trip to Hartsville, S.C. to face off against the Coker Cobras Saturday at 2 p.m.