DRC/scoccer..marin ejected in win

OldTimer · November 7, 2002

Marin ejected in UNT win

NCAA?s leading scorer will miss SBC semifinals

11/07/2002

Staff report

MOBILE, ALA. ? North Texas got two goals from Melinda Pina and a very unwelcome turn of events in a 4-1 victory over Middle Tennessee in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Women?s Soccer Tournament Wednesday.

Marilyn Marin

Marilyn Marin, the nation?s leading scorer in NCAA Division I, received a red card in the 38th minute of the contest because of rough play. North Texas (13-4-1) not only had to play the rest of Wednesday?s game shorthanded, but will also be without Marin in Thursday?s semifinals as she serves an automatic one-game suspension.

"I was proud of the way the team played, especially being a [player] down," said UNT coach John Hedlund. "I think we played a man short for about 60 minutes. The team showed a lot of character. We?re just glad to get to the next day."

Hedlund said losing Marin, the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, "hurts because she?s a tremendous player but at the same time I think the girls really wanted to show that they are not a one-man team."

Sophomore defender Caree Ridenour posted the game?s first goal in the 12th minute to give North Texas the early lead. Seven minutes later, Pina scored to make it 2-0.

Even with 10 players on the field, North Texas continued to dominate the attack and got a quick goal by midfielder Michelle Uselton, assisted by Pina, right after the start of the second half in the 46th minute. Pina scored in the 74th minute on a great one-on-one chance from 15 yards out to give North Texas a 4-0 cushion.

Middle Tenneesse ruined the shutout bid for North Texas when Lindsey Bopp scored off an assist on a corner kick by Laura Miguez in the 76th minute.

North Texas will face host South Alabama in the 7 p.m. semifinals Thursday.