North Texas opened the 2013 season and the Conference USA era with a resounding 9-1 win at Texas Southern on Friday night.

Rachel Holden stole the show with a hat trick in her first collegiate game. The freshman torched the Tigers for three goals before taking a seat in the 60^th minute, which made her the first freshman to record a hat trick in her debut since her teammate Kelsey Hodges in 2010.

Amber Haggerty opened the flood gates in the 24^th minute, and the Mean Green added three more goals over the next four minutes. NT led 6-1 at the halftime break, which included a pair of goals from Lynda Hercules.

North Texas returns to action on Sunday for its home opener against Houston Baptist at 1 p.m.

North Texas Quick Hitters

- NT’s nine goals are tied for the seventh most in school history.

- Rachel Holden scored a hat trick in her first collegiate game. The last freshman to open her career with a hat trick was her teammate Kelsey Hodges in 2010 (three goals vs. Texas Southern). It was the 43^rd hat trick in school history, and the first since 2011 (Nikki Crocco vs. Grambling, 8/28/11).

- North Texas is now unbeaten in its last seven season openers (7-0-1). All-time NT is 13-5-1 in openers.

- NT is 4-0 all-time against Texas Southern with a goal differential of 28-1.

- Lynda Hercules scored two first-half goals for the first multi-score game of her career.

- Holden wasn’t the only freshman to record a goal in her debut tonight. Anna Flobeck scored on a loose ball in the 27^th minute for her first career tally.

- Kelsey Hodges scored a penalty kick in the 28^th minute, which is her 24^th career goal (3^rd PK goal). The senior now has 24 career goals, and needs just two more to tie for 10^th place in school history.

- Hodges started her team-high 64^th career game tonight against the Tigers.

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