Mean Green soccer wins two weekend matches
Nick Peterson / Intern
After losing back-to-back games last weekend for the first time since last September, the Mean Green returned to the win column with two shutout victories. The team beat Sam Houston State University 3-0 on Friday and followed up with a 2-0 victory over TCU on Sunday.
Sam Houston
The Mean Green started the weekend off with a couple of early goals and tough midfield defense to top Sam Houston State University. UNT made the most of its home field advantage, improving to 59-8-5 all time.
Making her first start in place of injured junior Jackie Kerestine, sophomore goalkeeper Haley Riley looked strong behind a stout defense that rarely allowed the opponent past midfield. Kerestine injured her knee in the previous game and is out for the season.
On offense, the Mean Green got the ball with space to create. Senior defender Kelsey Hodges scored off a penalty kick, freshman forward Rachel Holden scored with a header and senior forward Vanessa Ibewuike added the third goal late.
“We have a lot of speed up front,” head coach John Hedlund said. “All three of our players up top are very dangerous — they have been huge for us.
TCU
On Sunday, the Mean Green once again scored early in a matchup against TCU in Forth Worth. Holden took a rebound, set her feet and fired a surgical strike into the right side of the net for a goal 19 minutes into the game. She leads all Conference USA players in goals scored with six so far this season.
“I know we play very well together out there and the midfield is key to our attack and for us finishing,” Holden said.
Four minutes later, sophomore forward Amber Haggerty scored her second goal of the season, handling a precision pass and putting the ball in the back of the net.
Sophomore midfielder Karla Pineda assisted on both goals of the day to bring her total assists to five. She led the team with eight last season.
“It helps us because they [forwards] really know what they are doing,” Pineda said. “It helps me see the field better because I know where they are going.”
The Mean Green’s next game is against McNeese State University at home at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Feature photo by Edward Balusek / Staff Photographer
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