The Sam Houston women's soccer team faces another stern test Friday as the Bearkats play host to the University of North Texas at 7 p.m. at Intramural Field No. 3 just west of Bowers Stadium.
The Mean Green from Denton are defending Sun Belt Conference soccer champions. North Texas brings a 2-0 record into Friday's tilt after defeating Oral Roberts 2-1 in double overtime and Missouri State 1-0 in a pair of road games last weekend.
Sam Houston brings a 1-1 mark into the contest with the Mean Green. The Bearkats defeated Prairie View A&M 1-0 in their season opener last Friday and fell to Texas State 1-0 in a thriller Sunday night.
The North Texas game marks Sam Houston's third home match in a row.
Head Coach Tom Brown believes his 2012 squad is making progress.
"We've seen a lot of good things in the two early games," Brown said. "By no means are we a finished product, but we're showing some positive things."
Sam Houston fields a veteran team with a strong senior class that includes three-time All-Southland Conference midfielder Kirby Zak, all-league defender Kayla Anderson and last year's team co-MVP defender Hailey Shelpuk.
Newcomers are making their mark as well. Ashley Alonzo, a true freshman midfielder, scored the match-winning goal against Prairie View A&M and first-year goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton made several outstanding saves in the Texas State contest.
North Texas leads the all-time series with Sam Houston four victories to one. The Bearkats defeated the Mean Green 1-0 on a late goal by Zak the last time UNT visited Huntsville in 2010.
Kelsey Hodges leads North Texas with two goals this season. Mean Green goalkeeper Jackie Kerestine has made four saves while giving up only one goal in 192 minutes of action.
Following Friday night's game, Sam Houston begins a road swing. The Bearkats will travel to Houston to face Texas Southern Sunday night then participate in the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station next weekend.
