UNT soccer splits weekend but clinches tournament spot
Akshay Mirchandani/Staff Writer
Over the weekend, the Mean Green soccer team split a pair of road games, winning 3-1 against Middle Tennessee State University on Friday and falling to the University of Alabama at Birmingham 2-1 on Sunday. UNT has won four out of its last five games and clinched a spot in the Conference USA tournament on Friday.
Middle Tennessee
The Mean Green (11-6-1) opened the weekend with a 3-1 victory against Middle Tennessee (5-7-4). It was the first time the two teams have played each other as C-USA opponents.
“We came out strong and ready to play and ready to get the result that we needed,” sophomore goal keeper Haley Riley said. “We did what we had to do and we were happy to get the three goals that we did.”
The match was tied 1-1 early into the second half, but a penalty kick in the 56th minute by senior defender Kelsey Hodges made it 2-1. Another goal by sophomore forward Amber Haggerty in the 65th minute secured the win.
After the win, the Mean Green is guaranteed a spot in the C-USA tournament in Houston, which starts on Nov. 6.
“We know that we’re still going to be in contention for a championship in Conference USA, so it’s definitely good to have that feeling under your belt,” senior forward Vanessa Ibewuike said.
UAB
On Sunday, the Mean Green took on UAB (11-5-2) and lost 2-1. It was the first time the two teams had ever faced each other.
“It was back and forth and I think it was just a matter of getting opportunities,” freshman forward Rachel Holden said. “They finished their opportunities.”
UAB struck first with a goal in the 57th minute, but the Mean Green countered with a goal by Haggerty in the 67th minute. But UAB’s junior midfielder Johanna Liney struck the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute to overcome UNT.
“We are going to have to be stronger on Thursday to get the seed that we want,” Riley said.
The Mean Green’s season finale is at home against the University of Texas-El Paso on Thursday.
There are no comments at the moment, do you want to add one?
Write a comment