UNT Eagles soar in Missouri

[jason91]

from the SCHL website ...

The University of North Texas Eagles displayed the skill that has won them the last two SCHL DI crowns in a showdown against the nation's best in St. Peters, MO. The Eagles arrived in St. Peters facing a daunting schedule, with 3 of their 4 games coming against teams ranked in the national top ten.

The Eagles first game came against the #10 ranked University of Missouri Tigers. UNT quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the strength of their special teams play, with Sam Haslam recording a power play goal and Nathan Ford following with a short-handed tally. The early scores gave the Eagles the cushion they needed to hold off the Tigers and earn a 6-3 victory.

UNT's special teams skill also helped to set an early tone against Missouri S&T. With 3 first period power play goals from Ford and Andrew Heimbaugh, the Eagles were able to jump to an early 4 goal lead and comfortably cruise to a 7-2 win.

The weekend's premiere match-ups came on Sunday, with UNT facing national #1 Lindenwood and #2 University of Missouri-St. Louis. While the Eagles, who rostered only 5 skaters in each game, fell in both contests, they successfully displayed the talent that has earned UNT a #4 national ranking. The Eagles ability to challenge for a top-seed to the NCRHA national championship tournament was clearly shown in their contest against UMSL. UNT's 5 goals against the Tritons is the second largest amount given up by UMSL this season and is exceeded only by the 6 goals Lindenwood managed versus UMSL the previous day.

With their trip to Missouri behind them, UNT is now ready to face ULL in a rematch that will surely be the most-anticipated game of the SCHL's 2008-09 season.

[JLambertUMSL]

UNT was outstanding this weekend. They're worthy of a top-10 national ranking. Slamm voters, take note! :)

[RaginCajunAlum]

Yea, it was a pretty good showing that should gain the Mean Green, if not the SCHL, a little more respect on the national level. UNT went up there with only 5 skaters and competed very well, winning their first 2 before losing to 2 of the best teams in the nation in Lindenwood and UMSL.

The game against UMSL was a close one with UNT getting the lead for some time before succumbing to a great UMSL and tired legs.

This weekend's matchup with UL should be a good one. In the first one, the Cajuns took it 6-3 while controlling the play throughout the game at home. UNT scored in the 3rd to get it closer, but UL would answer each time and preserved the win. Overall, UNT is a very solid team on all ends, especially in goal, but the Cajuns have the explosive offense that UNT may not be able to match.

I think both of these teams are very much deserving of some national respect, not saying where to rank them, etc., and berths to Nationals this year. I think their performances once they are at Nationals will earn the respect I'm speaking of.

[Ben Lambert]

I am stunned that they only rostered 5 for this game, seemed like there were a lot more of them out there!! They are a great team.

This weekend really helped put everything in perspective as far as rankings go and just how good LU is again this year. With all of their players on the bench now that the stupid J-term is over, they are as good as they have ever been...

[William Bourque]

What was different about this team and the team that was at nationals last season?

[terrorcoach]

The only real difference is attitude. The talent level isn't any better but they just work harder and play the game the right way.

Most of the credit for that can go to our best two players, Sam Haslam and Nathan Ford. They set the tone for the whole team and everyone follows. The effort they put in at practice and the effort they give during games show the rest of the team what it takes to be successful.

You can see the same thing with ULL. Their best two players set the tone for that team also. This weekends game should be a lot of fun.

[Rebel48]

i have to ask... other than strictly attitude, has anything else changed or been added to UNT? Because that's a huge change from what I saw at last year's nationals.

[terrorcoach]

Three players are gone from last years team. One B team player has moved up(there was a second B team player moved up, but he is now out with a medical condition) and one incoming freshman who's total travel experience before this year was two trips to State Wars. Also a spring semester transfer who did not go to St. Louis who had not played in over two years.

Both our goalies are freshmen also. That is where the biggest improvement talent wise has been. Although our starting goalie has only been playing two years, he has been a big difference from last year.

Honestly I don't believe we are a top 10 team, but every time I have doubted the boys they have proved me wrong. I do know that unlike the past two years UNT is looking forward to Nationals and competing with the top teams across the country this year. We may not win a lot of games but we will be competitive for a change.

[LukePhillips1]

Not only did they give great games to UMSL and Lindenwood, they did it with 5 or 6 guys. Thats the incredible part. I watched parts of both games. Great team.