University of North Texas
SMU
Soccer Beats SMU With 87' Goal From Crocco
9/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Game Box Score In PDF Format
DENTON, Texas- Nikki Crocco scored in the 86th minute to break a tie to give North Texas a 2-1 win over area rivals, and the 8th ranked team in the Central Region, SMU in the Metroplex Derby. Crocco scored two goals on the evening, and now has scored five in the past two games.
North Texas (3-0-1) remains undefeated on the season and has won its first contest against SMU (3-2-0) since 2005. Each of the last five games have been decided by a goal or less between the two DFW schools. The game was attended by 1,283 fans, breaking the school record set last year's SMU-North Texas game at 1,246.
After a tense and scoreless first half, Crocco started the scoring for North Texas in the 53rd minute, as she headed a wonderful free kick from Kelsey Hodges, taken from behind the midfield stripe, into the net. North Texas' celebrations were short-lived, as the North Texas backline could not cope with an SMU cross and knocked it into their own net to tie the score. Hodges now has three assists on the season, tying her for the team lead with Michelle Young.
With extra time looming, Nikki Crocco stole the ball from SMU keeper Courtney Webb with 3:07 remaining and knocked the ball into the open net which sent the record crowd into a frenzy. Crocco's goal was the first game winner in the last ten minutes of regulation for the Mean Green since Michelle Young scored in the 88th minute to beat Middle Tennessee on Nov. 4, 2009. Crocco has scored five of North Texas' last six goals, all in the past two games.
Jackie Kerestine played her first complete game in goal tonight for the Mean Green, and made three saves, in addition to cutting out several key SMU crosses. Kerestine's GAA is now at 0.71 for the season.
SMU outshot North Texas 10-6, but North Texas won more corners, by a 10-6 count, and the game. The game was very physical between the two rivals, with 25 total fouls.
The Mean Green attempt to remain undefeated Sunday, September 4 at Houston. Kickoff at Robertson Stadium is 1 p.m. North Texas returns to the Mean Green Soccer Complex on Friday, September 9, when it hosts Sam Houston State at 7 p.m.
