DENTON - The North Texas soccer team clinched a share of the regular season conference championship with a 2-0 win against Old Dominion on Sunday afternoon at the Mean Green Soccer Complex.

"Winning our first C-USA championship and ninth overall is a tremendous feat for this team and the program," said North Texas head coach John Hedlund. "We came so close last year to winning a title that it really motivated all of us to take care of business this year. This team has a lot of soccer to play and now we will focus our attention on senior night next Friday and getting ready for the conference tournament."

The Mean Green can win the title outright with a tie or victory next Friday against Western Kentucky.

Karla Pineda scored both of the team's goals against the Lady Monarchs. For the second straight game, the junior jump-started the Mean Green offense early. In the 12th minute, Pineda curved a corner kick directly into the goal after the ODU goalkeeper was unable to punch it out. It was the third time this season that she has scored directly off one of her own corner kicks.

After Amber Haggerty was taken down in the penalty box by the ODU goalkeeper in the 38th minute, Pineda converted her third penalty kick of the season to put North Texas ahead, 2-0.

The Mean Green had a number of opportunities in the second half to add to its tally but the shots were either wide or turned aside by the ODU defense. North Texas outshot the Lady Monarchs, 21-11.

Jackie Kerestine made just two saves but it was enough to preserve her 11th shutout of the season, which sets the single-season record at North Texas.

Next up for North Texas

• North Texas has one remaining home game. The Mean Green plays WKU on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 pm

Mean Green Quick Hitters

• With a win, North Texas secures a share of the regular season conference championship

• North Texas won its ninth conference championship, six of them are regular season titles

• The regular season title is the first Conference USA Championship for North Texas Athletics

• North Texas won the first meeting between the two teams

• Karla Pineda scored four goals in two games weekend and posted one assist. She scored four of NT's seven goals this weekend

• Karla Pineda leads the team with 11 goals and seven assists

• With a shutout, Jackie Kerestine set the season shutout record (11)

• With the win, Jackie Kerestine also moved into a tie for 8th in season wins

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