Riley Earns Shutout As NT Soccer Slugs SHSU

September 9, 2013

DENTON, Texas – No Jackie Kerestine, no problem. Just days after hearing of their star goalkeeper’s season-ending injury, the North Texas soccer team rode a dominating all-around performance to earn the first career shutout for new starter Haley Riley in a 3-0 rout of Sam Houston State.

Kerestine, last year’s Sun Belt Tournament MVP, went down with a knee injury in last weekend’s action against Virginia Tech, but Riley was more than sufficient of a replacement. The NT (3-2) sophomore wasn’t tested often, but pulled down four saves to up her career record to 2-0.

Kelsey Hodges, Rachel Holden and Vanessa Ibewuike provided the goal-scoring power for an NT offense that out-shot the Bearcats (1-2-1) 28-7.

North Texas will return to action on Sunday at cross-town rival TCU at noon, and the game is being broadcasat on Fox Sports Southwest.

Mean Green Quick Hitters
• North Texas entered “Others Receiving Votes” in this week’s NSCAA National Top 25 poll, but will be tested at TCU on Sunday (Noon, Fox Sports Southwest).

• Freshman Rachel Holden increased her C-USA scoring lead with her fifth goal of the season in the 20th minute.

• Senior transfer Vanessa Ibewuike notched her second goal in three starts in a Mean Green uniform. The Texas transfer became eligible for the Wake Forest game last weekend.

• Kelsey Hodges finished off a penalty shot in the 8th minute, and is now 4-for-4 in career penalty shot attempts.

• With the win, NT is now 59-8-5 in eight season in the Mean Green Soccer Complex.