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photo courtesy of University of North Texas
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Soccer Scores Late To Slip Away From Bears |
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (8/19/12) - Junior Kelsey Hodges scored her second goal of the season in the 83rd minute to propel North Texas soccer to a 1-0 victory over the Missouri State Bears on Sun., August 19. Hodges, who scored a goal in the 2-1 double-overtime victory against Oral Roberts on Friday, put North Texas ahead late in the second half. Hodges took a free-kick from near midfield and rocketed a shot over Missouri State goalkeeper Chelsea Voet. "[The goal] was the fuel we needed to win the game," said Hodges. "We kept playing hard to finish out the game strong and on top." North Texas (2-0-0) and Missouri State (1-1-0) combined for just one shot on goal in the first half -- a shot in the 27th minute by Mean Green freshman Karla Pineda. It's the first time since Sept. 11, 2011, against Baylor that North Texas didn't surrender a first-half shot. North Texas goalkeeper Jackie Kerestine made her first save of the game in the 53rd minute, and made a crucial save in the final seconds to pick up her 10th-career shutout and seal the win for the Mean Green. "This is not an easy place to play," said North Texas head coach John Hedlund. "Coming in, we knew they knocked off teams like OU and Arkansas a year ago, so we had to match their intensity from the start and be up for the challenge. Kelsey [Hodges] came through once again on a big goal late in the game and our defense was able to hold off a late rally to secure the win." There were three yellow cards in the game, with one in the 64th minute by Missouri State defender Nia Williams, and the others assessed to Kerestine and Bears forward Molly Brewer in the 90th minute. The game featured a combined 29 fouls. North Texas has won the first two road games of a season for the first time since 2008. The Mean Green aim to extend its eight-game unbeaten streak on Fri., August 24, on the road against Sam Houston State. |
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