Soccer plays home opener Friday at Pritchett (w/Video)
9/1/2010 8:19:00 PM | Soccer
Undefeated North Texas visits Pritchett Field Friday at 7 p.m. in the first home match of 2010 for the Sam Houston women's soccer team.
The Eagles are 4-0 while the Bearkats come into their home opener 0-4. However, all four of Sam Houston's losses have come on the road - three defeats coming by only one goal margins. Two of North Texas's wins were at home in Denton.
To help jump start the Bearkat soccer season, Sam Houston students are invited to Pritchett Field an hour before kickoff at 6 p.m. to enjoy a "Soccer Tailgate Party." Sponsored by SHSU Student Activities, the tailgate at upper Pritchett field will feature free McKenzie's BBQ and free Vitamin Water.
Students and fans are welcome to bring their own tailgate "fixings." The tailgate party will be held on upper Pritchett Field.
Sam Houston's losses have come by 1-0 scores to both Houston Baptist and the University of Houston, a 2-1 defeat at Louisiana Tech and a 6-0 shutout at TCU last Sunday.
Freshman Tricia Mallory has scored the Bearkats' only goal but head coach Tom Brown believes more offensive success is ahead.
"Things are going to get better. We're still a young team with as many as five or six freshmen on the field at one time," Brown said. "We're excited about getting to play at home finally. A good crowd really makes a big difference and we're hoping the students come out to the tailgate party and have a great time watching soccer Friday night."
Sam Houston entered the 2010 season with high hopes following the team's highest Southland Conference finish ever and a post-season Southland tournament semi-final appearance last year.
Two Bearkats earned preseason All-Southland Conference honors this year - senior goalkeeper Jenny Pence and sophomore forward Kirby Zak.
North Texas's wins include three shutouts. The Eagles defeated Texas Southern 8-0, Prairie View 6-0 and Jacksonville State 2-0. Their fourth victory was a 2-1 thriller over Missouri State.
Kelsey Hodgen is North Texas' top scorer with six goals in the four matches. Goalkeeper Tricia Mallory and the Eagle defense have given up only one goal in 360 minutes of action.
Admission to Sam Houston women's soccer at Pritchett Field is free.
For information about tickets to other Bearkat athletic home events, go online at www.gobearkats.com or visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.
