University of North Texas Athletics
NCAA Points Leader Marin Focuses On Winning
10/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Bryan Petray
Contributing Writer
DENTON Marilyn Marin is one of the best soccer players in the country, but you wouldn't know it by asking her. The 2000 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year says she doesn't follow statistics.
"I can't really worry about where I’m at statistically,” Marin said. “It doesn’t matter how good of a game I have if we don’t win I’m not satisfied.”
Marin, currently leading the nation in points (47) and points per game (3.62), is on pace to figure in the NCAA record book along side names such as Mia Hamm and Lisa Cole. Marin’s current points per game mark would figure to be eighth in NCAA history if she maintains that pace for the remainder of the season.
As for school records, none are safe with Marin’s current pace not even her own. Marin already owns season records for goals with 24 and points with 54 both set in her freshman campaign in 2000. With five games left in the regular season, Marin only needs six goals and seven points to eclipse her records.
Already this season, the star forward for the Mean Green has secured the most prestigious team record as all-time goal scorer, surpassing former UNT great, Christy Johnson in only her junior season. Johnson's mark for goals was 45, set during the 1997-2000 seasons.
Marin, who began the season as the team's third all-time scorer, became the leader in a 2-0 win over Arkansas State on Sept. 27. Marin passed Johnson, who held the mark at 112. Women's soccer head coach John Hedlund says Marin is the best offensive player he's ever coached. "She's the complete package," Hedlund said. "She has tremendous skill, vision, speed and most importantly, that rare talent to finish. That's what separates her from other players."
Hedlund recruited Marin after standout performances as a member of the Sting '83 team of the Lake Highlands Classic League. Marin quickly became Hedlund's most potent offensive weapon in her freshman year, scoring 24 goals and seven game-winning goals, both UNT records, while earning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors.
In her second year, Marin's offensive production declined because of the new role she was asked to play. "We lost some depth at the midfield position, and we asked Marilyn to do some things from a team standpoint that hurt her offensive production," Hedlund said. "She's a very unselfish player."
This year, Marin is back in her full-time role at forward. Despite efforts of opposing defenses, she is on pace for her best offensive season. Marin finds herself almost always double-teamed by opposing defenses. Hedlund says he counts on opponents double-teaming Marin.
So how would Hedlund defend against his star player? “I’d do what most teams try to do. They usually have one player that shadows her on the field, as well as bringing up the sweeper to help,” he said. “Despite all that, she’s still going to get her shots in. I would almost count on her getting at least a goal.”
Marin, majoring in business, hopes to play overseas after college. She’s participates with other college players in the Olympic Development Program and hopes to become part of the U.S. National team.
Marin's goals this season include winning the Sun Belt conference, getting a bid to the national tournament, and going far in the tournament. As far as individual records and accolades, they’re all secondary to team success.
POINTS PER GAME
| Player, Team | Year | Games | Points | Avg. |
| Lisa Cole, SMU | 1987 | 21 | 87 | 4.14 |
| Jane Baker, Niagara | 1985 | 13 | 53 | 4.08 |
| Jenn Stephenson, Campbell | 1994 | 16 | 64 | 4.00 |
| Mia Hamm, North Carolina | 1992 | 25 | 97 | 3.88 |
| Kelly Smith, Seton Hall | 1997 | 15 | 56 | 3.73 |
| Danielle Fotopoulos, Florida | 1996 | 22 | 81 | 3.68 |
| Carin Jennings, UC Santa Barb. | 1984 | 22 | 80 | 3.64 |
Marilyn Marin, North Texas* | 2002 | 13 | 47 | 3.62 |
| Tiffeny Milbrett, Portland | 1992 | 20 | 72 | 3.60 |
| Molly Cameron, Baylor | 1996 | 21 | 75 | 3.57 |
| Carin Jennings, UC Santa Barb. | 1986 | 19 | 66 | 3.47 |
| Danielle Garrett, SMU | 1995 | 24 | 83 | 3.46 |
| Shauna Rohbock, BYU | 1996 | 23 | 79 | 3.43 |
| Julie Gnau, Michigan St. | 1986 | 21 | 72 | 3.43 |
| Christie Pearce, Monmouth | 1996 | 22 | 75 | 3.41 |
| Kris Moller, Canisius | 1986 | 15 | 51 | 3.40 |
| Vicki Niemann, Cincinnati | 1982 | 16 | 53 | 3.31 |
| Kelly Smith, Seton Hall | 1998 | 17 | 56 | 3.29 |
| Liz Pike, American | 1990 | 15 | 49 | 3.27 |
| Kelly Smith, Seton Hall | 1999 | 19 | 62 | 3.26 |
| Amanda Gruber, Xavier | 1997 | 18 | 58 | 3.22 |
*Projected pace with five games remaining in the regular season.
Brian Petray is a journalism student at the University of North Texas
