Mean Green soccer picks up 300th victory in season opener
John Hedlund, UNT soccer coach, leads the mean green women into victory Friday at Denton High School. The game on Friday was Hedlund's 300th win as a coach.
Clay Massey | @Clay_FC
The rain tried to dampen the mood, but it could only dampen the field as Mean Green soccer picked up the program’s 300th all-time win with a 4-0 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word Friday evening.
All 300 wins have been under the leadership of head coach John Hedlund.
“It’s special,” Hedlund said. “I started this program and we’ve [had] 21 consecutive winning seasons, 11 titles and we just want to keep it going. 300 is a great mark. Let’s see if we can get up to 400 next.”
Senior’s Rachel Holden and Marchelle Davis and junior Tori Phillips provided the goals. The game was moved to Denton High School after the Mean Green soccer complex was deemed unplayable due to torrential rain earlier in the day.
Holden opened the scoring early in the first half when a well-worked ball found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Senior foward, Rachel Holden, takes a run toward goal as she passes two defenders Friday at Denton High School. Holden scored one goal at end of game. Tomas Gonzalez | Visuals Editor
North Texas added another in the first half when Holden was dragged down in the box and Davis converted from the spot for a 2-0 lead.
“It’s really exciting for him, [a] great accomplishment,” Holden said. “Scoring goals is always a huge relief. Scoring the first one is always huge.”
Sophomore keeper Brooke Bradley made a key save late in the first half to hold the Cardinals off the board and preserve the shutout. It was Bradley’s first start since the opening round of last season’s NCAA tournament.
Shortly after halftime, Davis killed all hope for a Cardinals comeback when she scored her second goal of the night to make it 3-0, ensuring win No. 300 for the program.
Senior midfielder, Marchelle Davis, launches the ball towards a teammate as she fights off two opponents. Davis scored two goals at end of game. Tomas Gonzalez | Visuals Editor
“It shows we can play together as a group,” Davis said. “We’re still working on our chemistry, but we’re getting there.”
Next up: North Texas is back in action on Sunday when they take on Oral Roberts at 1 p.m.
Featured Image: John Hedlund, UNT soccer coach, leads the mean green women into victory Friday at Denton High School. The game on Friday was Hedlund’s 300th win as a coach. Tomas Gonzalez | Visuals Editor
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