Pina Notches Hat Trick In 7-1 Win Over Valpo

DENTON Senior forward Melinda Pina notched her fourth career hat trick as the North Texas (8-3, 2-0) women’s soccer team cruised to its third straight win 7-1 over Valparaiso at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. Pina scored three goals in a span of 14 minutes in the first half that moves her into second place all-time at North Texas in career goals with 48.

“It was a nice win for us today. The most important thing for us is that we finally got the offense going today,” said North Texas head coach John Hedlund. “I needed to know what we have going into the important stretch of conference play and I really liked the way the starters came out and played today. It was a complete effort”.

Pina started the scoring off in the ninth minute off a feed from freshman Dani Slavonic from 10 yards out. Freshman Heather Hutyra scored her fourth goal of the season two minutes later to make it 2-0 North Texas.

Pina then proceeded to collect her second and third goals of the day off two rebounds in the 17^th and 23^rd minutes of the first half. Both goals were assisted by Hutyra who finished the day with a career-high five points.

Junior Misty Cordon made it 5-0 Mean Green in the 37^th minute off a cross from sophomore Jamie Yates for her fourth goal of the year. Valparaio scored its only goal of the day from Courtney Rahrig who put it past Kandice Ellis off a rebound from 15 yards out in the 64^th minute.

Two minutes later Kristen Campbell scored her second goal of the year off a sensational feed from Hutyra, who delivered a touch pass to Campbell 15 yards out before finding the back of the net.

Kelly Adkins closed out the scoring for North Texas in the 83^rd minute with a goal off a turnover from the Crusaders goalkeeper Danielle Guerra.

The seven goals were a season-high for North Texas. Goalkeeper Briana Buchanan picked up the win after making one save in the first half. Buchanan extended her scoreless streak to a career-high 243 minutes without allowing a goal.

North Texas returns to action Friday on the road at Northern Colorado before a showdown with defending Sun Belt Conference champion Denver on Sunday.

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Players Mentioned

Kelly Adkins

Briana Buchanan

Kristen Campbell

Misty Cordon

Kandice Ellis

Heather Hutyra

Melinda Pina

Dani Slavonic

Jamie Yates

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