Soccer article in DRC..Reb here it is

[OldTimer]

Young defenders could be key to UNT success

Offense, led by Marin and Pina, will be strength of squad

08/30/2002

By Terry Britt / Staff Writer

Coach John Hedlund and the University of North Texas women?s soccer team are pressing onward, in a number of ways.

It will be an interesting season ahead as the Mean Green return one of the best pair of forwards in the Sun Belt Conference, and try to nab a conference tournament title and NCAA tournament berth for the first time. The team will also go forward with a young defense made younger by the departure of starting goalkeeper Monica Housden, who has left the squad for tryouts with the Mexican National team.

Up front, North Texas returns a lethal scoring duo in junior Marilyn Marin (15 goals, 3 assists in 2001) ? a unanimous All-Sun Belt First Team selection ? and sophomore Melinda Pina (10 goals, 7 assists), who was an All-Sun Belt Tournament Team selection along with Marin.

Add a talented freshman like Jessica Hennessay and it?s easy to see why Hedlund feels confident in the attack.

"Offensively, we might be stronger than last year and probably rely on our offense a bit more," said Hedlund.

Marin is just seven goals away from setting a new UNT scoring record. She has 39 goals through her first two seasons, but Marin says she isn?t thinking about that individual achievement.

"I never try to set records for myself for the soccer season, except to score more than last year," said Marin. "I?m focusing on working hard for my team, and as long as we play our hearts out, we?ll be all right."

The midfield features two starters, senior Michelle Uselton and sophomore Elaine Bacchus. Uselton, a second team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last year, feels confident about the team?s ability to defend its regular season title.

"We always try to stay focused on our attack. We want to keep the pressure on the other team and maintain possession on their end," she said. "I feel our younger players will step up and do a big job for us."

Junior Angela Carter, another All-Sun Belt Tournament selection in 2001, will be asked to anchor a very young defense. "She has to pick up where [graduated senior] Gina [Turner] left off," said Hedlund, who is also very impressed with the preseason work of junior Jessica Koschmann, a transfer from Massachusetts-Lowell.

The Mean Green?s starting goalkeeper for the past two seasons, Housden, a Ryan graduate, will certainly be missed but chose to pursue bigger dreams on the world soccer stage.

Sophomore Natalie Mitchell also left the team to transfer to Texas Woman?s University and pursue a nursing degree, said Hedlund.

The North Texas net will be defended this season by freshman Erin Johnson and senior Brianna Morris. Johnson is scheduled to get the start in the Mean Green?s season opener at home against Nicholls State.

"Both players look good through the preseason and I think they will do a good job for us," said Hedlund.

North Texas was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference coaches? poll behind Denver, the team that beat North Texas in the conference tournament championship last year.

"Denver will be extremely tough, probably the best team we will play in the conference," said Hedlund. "The main nucleus of their players are seniors this year. They should give everybody fits, and we have to go there [Denver] this year."

For North Texas to get back to the tournament finals and another shot at an NCAA Tournament berth, Hedlund said staying away from injuries and steady progress in the play are vital.

"We need to stay healthy and keep improving each week," said Hedlund. "We?re still a fairly young team with only two seniors. I think one key will be how the new kids mix in."

Hedlund has a new assistant coach this year, former Women?s Professional Soccer League player Ileana Moschos, along with Kevin Smith.

North Texas will also play on a new field this year at the Mean Green Soccer Complex on Airport Road.