UNT Soccer Stays Unbeaten
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DENTON, Texas (8/26/12) – Senior Michelle Young’s first goal of the season in the 82nd minute was the difference in the Mean Green’s 2-1 win over the Houston Cougars on Sun., August 26.
With the game tied at 1-1 on a rain-soaked field, North Texas seemed destined to head to a third overtime in four games. But Young took a pass from senior Carly McDowell, cut towards the middle of the field and blasted a shot over the outstretched hand of Houston goalkeeper Cami Koski.
“When I got the ball I just told myself to calm down,” said Young. “I cut inside like [Hedlund] wanted, looked for the shot that I had and took it.”
“With all the youth we have out there, the offense is a work in progress,” said head coach John Hedlund. “I’m happy to be 4-0 right now, especially getting three of those wins on the road.”
The Mean Green (4-0-0) opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Kelsey Hodges scored her third goal of the season off a free kick. Hodges’ third goal of the season squeaked just inside the near post.
The Cougars (1-2-0) had their best initial scoring chance in the 60th minute when junior Jasmine Martinez took a shot from 10 yards out, but Mean Green goalkeeper Jackie Kerestine made a diving stop with her right hand to keep North Texas ahead.
In the 69th minute, Martinez had another scoring opportunity and took advantage. The midfielder shook away from the North Texas defense and netted her second goal of the season to tie the game.
The Mean Green outshot the Cougars 11-3 in the second half, but only two North Texas opportunities were put on net. Hodges twice put a header off a corner kick over the bar in an attempt for a multi-goal game.
Kerestine improves to 4-0-0 on the season after making a season-high five saves despite maneuvering around a rain-drenched goal line. Her shutout streak ended at 360:49 after surrendering a goal to Martinez, who was the first player to beat Kerestine since Oral Roberts’ Shelbi Lousch scored in the 9th-minute of the regular-season opener.
North Texas is now unbeaten in its last 15 home games, a streak that dates back to Sept. 2010. The Mean Green also hasn’t lost to the Cougars in the last six meetings between the two teams.
