November 11, 2005
SMU used a hat trick from Kimber Bailey to knock off North Texas 3-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championships Friday evening at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
SMU advances to the second round and awaits the winner of Friday?â„¢s late match between Northwestern State and Texas A&M.
The Mean Green (16-4-2) didn?â„¢t have an answer for SMU?â„¢s (15-4-2) Bailey, who combined with her sister, Krystal, on the opening goal in the game?â„¢s 16th minute.
Krystal found Kimber just inside the 18-yard box, and the sophomore placed a shot over Mean Green goalkeeper Kandice Ellis.
Ellis, however, kept the Mean Green in the game in the first half, registering a couple of key diving saves. The Mustangs took the first six shots of the game before Heather Hutyra was able to begin the North Texas attack.
The Mean Green mounted an offensive late in the half, evening the shots at six apiece with the Mustangs.
Kelli Lunsford narrowly missed tying the score early in the second. The Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year got behind the Mustang defense and was able to beat goalie Ashley Gunter, but the bad-angle shot hit the outside netting.
Kimber Bailey notched her second goal of the game on a penalty shot in the 68th minute, and added her third three minutes later, redirecting a rebound off of Ellis.
North Texas finishes the season with the best record in school history. The Mean Green has tied the school record with 16 wins, but ends the season with the best winning percent?age in its history. The Mean Green has won 11 of their last 13 games and has lost only twice in their past 20 games.