The Georgia soccer team made sure to open the school’s athletic calendar on a high note Friday, defeating UNC-Greensboro 1-0 in double overtime at the UGA Soccer Stadium.

Hermann Trophy Watch List member Alexa Newfield hammered home a penalty kick chance following a UNCG handball in the 104th minute.

Georgia starts the season at 1-0 and drops the visiting Spartans to 0-1 on the season, with the Bulldogs improving to 14-2-2 all-time in season openers and winners of six of their last eight home debuts dating back to 2005.

Despite outshooting UNC-Greensboro 27-4 on the night, the Bulldogs couldn’t convert during regulation before putting the Spartans away early in the second overtime period. UNCG freshman keeper Jamie Simmons recorded 14 saves on the night to help her team stay in the game despite the lopsided stats — finishing just one off the school record.

“Well, we’re relieved,” third-year Georgia head coach Steve Holeman said. “When (Newfield) stepped up we felt confident, and sure enough she got it done.”

“Tonight we wanted to play with a lot of energy and we did that. We could’ve been better in certain areas. I think our speed of play could’ve been better. For the opening game of the season you’re not quite at your best, but we did some good things well and got the result.”

The Bulldogs will welcome another SoCon rival to Athens at 2 p.m. Sunday, taking on Furman.