Mean Green soccer defeats FIU on senior day, extends home conference winning streak
The Mean Green (12-1-2, 7-0-1 C-USA) defeated the Florida International Panthers (0-16-1, C-USA 0-8-1) Sunday at Denton Guyer High School, by a score of 2-0.
It was senior day for North Texas, which marks the last home match of the season. The Mean Green went undefeated at home this season, finishing with an 8-0-1 record while playing in Denton. They haven’t lost a home conference match since Oct. 31, 2008, and extended their home conference winning streak to 49 games.
The final two home matches were played at nearby Denton Guyer High School instead of the Mean Green Soccer Stadium due to the field being deemed unplayable because of large amounts of rain throughout the week.
Head coach John Hedlund started all six seniors in the matchup with Florida International. Hedlund said this is a great group that has shown leadership on and off the field.
“It’s a special group,” Hedlund said. “It was important to win this game today for the seniors because they have done so much for us throughout their career. They’ve been a huge asset to all of our success this year with our national ranking, RPI and our great record.”
Senior goalkeeper Brooke Bradley started in 15 matches for North Texas in 2017 but hasn’t seen much playing time this year due to conference-leading performances from redshirt freshman Kelsey Brann.
Bradley played the first half of Sunday’s game and finished with two saves and glanced a shot off the post from past midfield. Bradley said she is thankful to be a part of the winning culture at North Texas, and the past four years have been a blessing to play at home.
“This program has meant a lot to me,” Bradley said. “I have been here for four years, and I am thankful for our program and our great home crowd. We were glad to be able to keep our conference win streak at home.”
North Texas started with a very fast pace which resulted in many scoring opportunities during the opening 15 minutes. However, it wasn’t until the minute 34 that the Mean Green could convert one of those chances into a goal.
Sophomore Logan Bruffett scored her second goal in as many games on a pass from freshman Olivia Klein to make the score 1-0.
“As we get closer to the tournament, we are becoming even more focused and determined,” Bruffett said. “We’re at the top, and everyone is coming after us, so we realize the importance of putting goals away and finishing.”
The Mean Green ended the half with 19 shots and seven shots on goal.
After a handball during the minute 80, senior forward Aaliyah Nolan scored her seventh goal of the year on a penalty kick. Nolan is tied for the team lead in goals with Taylor Torres.
North Texas had an eventful day on the offensive side of the ball, racking up 32 shots compared to just three shots from Florida International.
Coach Hedlund said he was wishing for a few more shots to go in the net, but he will never complain about a win.
“I would’ve liked to finish a little bit better in front of the goal, but we got the win and we got two goals in there so that is the most important thing,” Hedlund said.
The Mean Green need to win one out of their final two matches against Middle Tennessee or Old Dominion to clinch their fifth straight conference championship.
Featured Image: Sophomore forward Berklee Peters moves to the goal at the game Friday night. Peters is tied for second on the team in goals with five. Jordan Collard
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