UNT Soccer Shuts Out McNeese State

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DENTON, Texas – North Texas got a pair of first-half goals from unlikely sources and rode the momentum to a 2-0 win over a red-hot McNeese State squad on Friday night.

The Cowgirls (5-2-0) were off to the best start in their program’s history and rode a five-game win streak into Denton, but the (ORV) Mean Green (5-2-0) had the answer with physical play and a strong possession game.

NT goalkeeper Haley Riley, the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week, once again looked confident as she and the NT defense recorded their third straight shutout. North Texas hasn’t allowed a goal in 292:11, which dates back to the second half against (ORV) Virginia Tech on Sept. 1.

“Give McNeese State and their coaching staff credit,” said North Texas head coachJohn Hedlund. “They made it tough to score. We’re happy with the win and look forward to playing another good team on Sunday in Oklahoma.”

Shelly Holt got North Texas on the board in the 16th minute when her

cross from the right corner carried over the McNeese State keeper, clanged off the post and into the net. It was the senior’s first career goal in her 63rd career game.

Looking content to go into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead, a seemingly harmless Lynda Hercules worm-burner cross with 25 second remaining in the frame squeaked through the Cowgirl defense and found the right foot of freshman Allison Harper for her first career goal.