Good start for Soccer Team

[GrandGreen]

NT beats Houston 5-1

Link

[ADLER]

notes:

I was also at the game today,and it was my first time to attend.

There were about 200 fans at the game enjoying the Mean Green victory over the Houston Cougars, as well as the unseasonably comfortable weather. I was very impressed with the speed of the game, and the play was quite physical at times.

Our Mean Green Soccer squad looked unstoppable in this game. The Green were up 5-0 on the Cougars before Houston scored it's lone goal late in the game.

For those of you that haven't been to a game, there is bleacher seating available or you can, like many prefer, bring your own folding chairs, shade, and ice chests. A lot of fans with folding chairs switch field ends at halftime so they can concentrate on certain aspects of the games.

There was also a concessions stand open for anyone that forgot to bring their own drinks or wanted the oversized snowcones.

Briana Buchanan made four saves in the 5-1 win over Houston.

They have several big home games, including Baylor and SMU, before the Sun Belt Conference play starts.

I am already anticipating how nice it will be when the new soccer facility at Eagle Point is complete.

[res1dg16]

It's only one game, but they seem to have great depth, a solid core of senior leadership, and an impressive freshman class.

[FireFightnJoey]

I'm going to attend the Sam Houston game on Friday night if anyone in the Houston area is interested.

Not often that I get to see the Mean Green play in other sports.

[ADLER]

Photo by WIL BERMUDEZ/NT DAILY

Sophomore forward Kristen Campbell fights off a Cougar for a header in NT's 5-1 victory on Sunday.

Mean Green soccer opens with strong showing

Brooke Knight

North Texas Daily Intern

August 31, 2004

The NT women's soccer team (1-0) opened its season with an impressive 5-1 win over the Houston Cougars (0-2) Sunday afternoon at the Mean Green Soccer Complex.

The Mean Green has now won 14 straight games at home, spanning three seasons, as well as winning their third-straight season opener. The victory also served as an important statement for a team looking to win the Sun Belt Conference title and receive an NCAA tournament birth this year.

"The University of Houston is a tough opponent who plays in a tough conference," said North Texas head coach John Hedlund. "We wanted to be the aggressor and show confidence and the result was very good for us."

The Mean Green had no problems showing aggression as they took control from the beginning of the game and never let up. North Texas struck first as senior defender Caree Ridenour scored on a free kick only 2:41 into the first half. Ridenour's goal came off a free kick that was taken behind the midfield line and sailed just in front of the Houston goalkeeper before bouncing over her head into the net. The Mean Green continued to apply intense pressure as freshman Heather Hutyra scored on a breakaway in the 34th minute of the first half. The freshman is one of five newcomers added to the squad in the offseason, which includes four high school recruits and one transfer. All will contribute this season, but Hutyra's play in the opener as well as in the offseason has really impressed coach Hedlund. "Heather will be an outstanding player for us (this season)," Hedlund said. "I really enjoy watching her play. She has a great kick and a lot of speed."

NT scored its third goal in the 41st minute off a mistake by Houston in its own end. Senior Alyssa Carrier made it a 4-0 lead five minutes into the second half with a goal off a feed from defender Misty Cordon. Cordon later scored the Mean Green's final goal in the 58th minute off a pass from sophomore Jamie Yates.

Houston scored its only goal of the game on a penalty kick from Nikki Hawkins. North Texas outshot the Cougars 13-10, while junior goalkeeper Briana Buchanan made four saves to pick up the win.

The Mean Green have good reason to be optimistic this year, returning nine starters from a team that tied the school record with 15 wins last season.

Leading the way are seniors Melinda Pina and Krista Georgas. Pina was named to the 2003 Sun Belt first team as well as the Sun Belt all-tournament team. She tied last year for sixth in the nation with 21 goals and was 15th in the nation with 2.13 points per game. Georgas received second team all-conference honors last season.

Both Georgas and Pina were named to the preseason all-Sun Belt Conference team. The Mean Green also ranked second in the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll. With a veteran core returning and a solid group of newcomers to add to the mix, Hedlund is looking forward to playing aggressive all season long.

"Everybody got the chance to play today (and) I was very happy to get everyone involved," Hedlund said.

"The intensity level never dropped regardless of who was in. What we have on this team is a lot of depth, and if we can continue on that same level of intensity we can wear some people out."

Also of note, the Mean Green easily defeated the Alumni 7-3 in an exhibition game this past Friday.

NT will return to action on Friday, Sept. 3, as the Mean Green will travel to play the Southland Conference's Sam Houston State Bearkats. SHSU is 1-1 after two games this season, defeating Texas Southern 23-2 in the season opener but then losing to UTEP 8-0 on Aug. 29.