MOBILE, Ala. - The North Texas soccer team won the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Championship with a win over FIU, 1-0, in the finals. The win marked the third SBC tournament championship, and it gives the Mean Green an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament field.

The Mean Green (16-4-2, 8-1-1) had 21 shots to FIU's (13-6-2, 8-1-1) 9. In addition, NT had seven shots to the Panthers' three from the corner.

It was the third 1-0 win for the Mean Green in the SBC tournament as NT picked up a second half goal from Amber Haggerty, her second goal of the tournament. The goal, scored in the 63rd minute by Haggerty, was assisted by Kelsey Hodges and Jackie Moreau and was the difference in the game between two of the defensive stalwarts in the league. NT and FIU played to a draw earlier and the season and it appeared to be headed that way until Haggerty found the open net, slipping the ball into the goal behind FIU keeper Kaitlyn Savage.

Haggerty was one of five North Texas student-athlete's to be named to the 2012 All-SBC Tournament Team.

Joining Haggerty was Kelsey Hodges, Karla Pineda and Michelle Young. NT's Jackie Kerestine, who picked up her third consecutive shutout, was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Kerestine had nine saves on the week.

FIU's foursome of Nicole DiPerna, Chelsea Leiva, Kim Lopez and Johanna Volz were also named All-Tournament for their play in FIU's three matches this week.

Middle Tennessee's Jessica Gilchrist and Western Kentucky's Amanda Buechel were also selected to the All-Tournament team.

North Texas will now await their fate for the NCAA Tournament which will be released tomorrow.

The Division I Women’s Soccer Committee will hold selections for the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship Nov. 3-5 and will announce the field of 64 teams during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 5 which will be streamed on NCAA.com at 3:30 p.m. CT.

The first round of the Division I Women’s Soccer Championship will be held at 32 different sites across the country November 9-11. Each site will host two teams competing to advance to the second round.

The 2012 NCAA Women’s College Cup will be held in San Diego, Calif. Quarterfinal winners will compete in semifinal matches held Nov. 30 at 7:30 or 10 p.m. CT. The national championship match of the NCAA Women’s College Cup will be played 3 p.m. CT on Dec. 2.

2012 SBC Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Nicole DiPerna, FIU, MF
Chelsea Leiva, FIU, F
Kim Lopez, FIU, MF
Johanna Volz, FIU, MF
Jessica Gilchrist, Middle Tennessee, GK
Amber Haggerty, North Texas, F
Kelsey Hodges, North Texas, D
Jackie Kerestine, North Texas, GK
Karla Pinea, North Texas, MF
Michelle Young, North Texas, F
Amanda Buechel, Western Kentucky, F

2012 SBC Women's Soccer Most Outstanding Player
Jackie Kerestine, North Texas, GK