DENVER, Colorado (10/31/09) - The Mean Green soccer team will enter the Sun Belt Tournament as the fourth seed after being shutout for a third straight game, this time a 1-0 loss to the Denver Pioneers.

North Texas will now play Middle Tennessee in the first round of the tournament. The Mean Green played the Blue Raiders to a 0-0 double-overtime draw earlier this season in Murfreesboro.

"We had a few real nice chances right in front of their goal to tie the game but unfortunately the ball would not go in today," North Texas head coach John Hedlund said. "We knew even before today's game started that we could not finish better then the third seed in the conference tournament so I'm really proud of my girls not giving up and playing with a lot of heart throughout the game."

North Texas (11-6-2, 7-2-2) was without top goal-scorer Michelle Young (concussion) and goalkeeper Mandy Hall (broken thumb).  

Filling in for Hall was freshman Haley Newsom, who played a nearly flawless game except for one shot on goal. In the 19^th minute Mariah Johnston dribbled in front the right side and fed Kelli Breidenbach, who fired a one-timer for the game's lone goal. Newsom did finish with six saves in 90 minutes of play.

Offensively North Texas was outshot 14-11 and 7-6 shots on goal. Freshman midfielder Ellen Scarfone led the Mean Green with four shots, two of which were on goal.

Denver (14-5-1, 9-2-0) will enter the tournament as the third seed and will play Troy in the first round.

The Sun Belt Tournament will get underway Wednesday, Nov. 4 from Boca Raton, Florida. More information regarding times will be available in the near future.