Sunday, September 12
Abilene, TX
1 PM
University of North Texas
5-1-2, 0-0-0
2
at
0
Abilene Christian
1-4-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
North Texas
0
2
2
Abilene Christian
0
0
0
Byrd's Brace Leads UNT To 2-0 Win
9/12/2021 3:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE, Texas — North Texas soccer beat Abilene Christian Sunday afternoon 2-0 behind a second half brace by junior forward Allie Byrd.
Byrd scored the two goals within six minutes of each other. The win improves UNT's overall record to 5-1-2 and closes out the 2021 non-conference slate.
"The goals were hard to come by today but give ACU credit they played great defense against us and their goalkeeper was outstanding throughout the match," said head coach John Hedlund. "Wins are never easy on the road especially after playing on Friday night, not much of a turnaround but thankfully Allie came up big and scored both goals and once again our defense got the needed shutout."
On Sunday, North Texas took a total of 26 shots but it was the final two shots of the match that were the difference on the scoreboard.
Byrd scored her first goal in the 74th minute on what was her third shot of the match and the team's 25th. A corner kick was delivered in by Taylor Tufts, ACU failed to clear the ball as it bounced around inside the six-yard box and Byrd was there to tap it in to end the stalemate.
Six minutes later, Byrd was given space atop the 18-yard box to rip a shot to the opposite corner of the net and didn't miss as a dive by the Wildcats' keeper was unsuccessful.
The two goals give the junior a team-leading five on the year and 16 for her UNT career. She's now scored three goals in the last two matches combined to go along with an assist.
"We were getting chances just not finishing them up to that point," Byrd said. "On the first one I was just in the right place at the right time and on the second one I was able to connect well with the ball and beat the keeper. I'm happy with our team's performance today and the last few games. We're getting back to full strength and will be ready for conference."
Defensively, UNT's shutout on Sunday is its fifth clean sheet of the year through eight matches. They end non-conference play shutting out its final two opponents.
Goalkeeper Sarah Fuller wasn't tested heavily against ACU (1-4-0) on Sunday. The Wildcats took four shots over the 90 minutes — two in the final eight minutes of the match — but put none of the shots on target.
Next up for North Texas starts conference play at Florida Atlantic on Thursday. The match will be streamed live on CUSA.tv and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.
Byrd scored the two goals within six minutes of each other. The win improves UNT's overall record to 5-1-2 and closes out the 2021 non-conference slate.
"The goals were hard to come by today but give ACU credit they played great defense against us and their goalkeeper was outstanding throughout the match," said head coach John Hedlund. "Wins are never easy on the road especially after playing on Friday night, not much of a turnaround but thankfully Allie came up big and scored both goals and once again our defense got the needed shutout."
On Sunday, North Texas took a total of 26 shots but it was the final two shots of the match that were the difference on the scoreboard.
Byrd scored her first goal in the 74th minute on what was her third shot of the match and the team's 25th. A corner kick was delivered in by Taylor Tufts, ACU failed to clear the ball as it bounced around inside the six-yard box and Byrd was there to tap it in to end the stalemate.
Six minutes later, Byrd was given space atop the 18-yard box to rip a shot to the opposite corner of the net and didn't miss as a dive by the Wildcats' keeper was unsuccessful.
The two goals give the junior a team-leading five on the year and 16 for her UNT career. She's now scored three goals in the last two matches combined to go along with an assist.
"We were getting chances just not finishing them up to that point," Byrd said. "On the first one I was just in the right place at the right time and on the second one I was able to connect well with the ball and beat the keeper. I'm happy with our team's performance today and the last few games. We're getting back to full strength and will be ready for conference."
Defensively, UNT's shutout on Sunday is its fifth clean sheet of the year through eight matches. They end non-conference play shutting out its final two opponents.
Goalkeeper Sarah Fuller wasn't tested heavily against ACU (1-4-0) on Sunday. The Wildcats took four shots over the 90 minutes — two in the final eight minutes of the match — but put none of the shots on target.
Next up for North Texas starts conference play at Florida Atlantic on Thursday. The match will be streamed live on CUSA.tv and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
UNT
ACU
Goals
2
0
Shots
26
4
Shots on Goal
13
0
Saves
0
11
Corners
7
1
Fouls
8
5
Scoring Plays
Allie Byrd (5)
GOAL by UNT Byrd, Allie.
74:40
Allie Byrd (5)
Assisted By: Quincy Sheppard
GOAL by UNT Byrd, Allie Assist by Sheppard, Quincy.
80:04
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's SoccerMidfield
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