Sooners Knock Off Unbeaten UNT

Thursday, September 1

Denton, Texas

7 PM CT

University of Oklahoma

1-2-1, 0-0-0

North Texas

4-1-0, 0-0-0

Oklahoma

North Texas

September 01, 2022 | Soccer

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DENTON, Texas — The University of Oklahoma soccer team notched its first win of the season on Thursday by knocking off previously unbeaten North Texas, 3-2, in Denton.

The Sooners (1-2-1) were the aggressor offensively, outshooting the Mean Green (4-1-0) on the night 16-15 including an 11-6 advantage at half. OU's three goals were the most given up in a match this season by the Mean Green. Additionally, the Sooners took five corner kicks to UNT's two.

"Obviously happy with the win and the performance," said OU head coach Mark Carr. "The bench was full of energy and people played their role when they were called upon.

"Since our last game, we have worked really hard on improving some key areas and our kids showed that learning and executed the game plan to a tee. I thought we battled and competed hard tonight. Denton is not an easy place to come and score three goals. Really proud of our team but I know we are not done."

OU's three goals came from a trio of Sooners as sophomore Leonie Weber, super senior Bri Amos and senior Emma Hawkins all found the back of the net. Hawkins' first goal as a Sooner was the highlight of the night as she executed a bicycle kick to perfection in the 63rd minute to seal the win for the Sooners.

Weber got the scoring started early via penalty kick in the sixth minute after a foul in the box drawn by freshman Hadley Murrell. Weber connected on the PK, putting one in the top right corner of the net to put OU up early.

The Mean Green responded quickly, finding the equalizer less than 30 seconds later off a deflected header that found the foot of UNT's Madison Drenowatz.

OU senior captain Amos pulled the Sooners back in front with a goal in the 11th minute from a beautiful assist off the right foot of freshman Alexis Washington. Amos found the back right of the net with her left foot for her team-leading second goal of the season.

After a back-and-forth start to the second half, Hawkins sealed OU's first win of 2022 with an exceptional bicycle-kick goal. After Weber played a ball into the box that was blocked by the UNT keeper, Hawkins went up-and-over just outside the six-yard box to place the ball in the goal.

UNT cut the final tally to 3-2 with a response in the 66th minute from Drenowatz but OU controlled possession to end the game and come away with the road victory, UNT's first loss at home since Sept. 2, 2021.

Weber led the Sooners with four shots in the match, while Hawkins and sophomore Bailey Wesco took a pair.

In net, senior Makinzie Short went all 90 minutes, making two saves and surrendering just two goals to a Mean Green offense that was averaging 4.25 goals per game entering Thursday's contest.

The Sooners return to the pitch this Sunday for another big non-conference matchup vs. No. 15 SMU (3-0-1) at John Crain Field.

Tickets for Sunday's match, also OU's Pups at the Pitch game, are available via SoonerSports.com/tickets and available at the gate at John Crain Field. Adults are $7 and youth tickets are $5. Dogs are encouraged and 250 free collapsible water bowls will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sunday's match can also be seen on SoonerVision on ESPN+.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma Soccer, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_WSoccer) and like Oklahoma Soccer on Facebook.