Box Score DENTON — Five lightning delays, a late start time and constant rain couldn't stop the Mean Green soccer team as they won their first round Conference USA Championship match 3-1 over UTEP in front of their home crowd.

Due to previous matches being delayed because of lightning, North Texas (13-5-1), the second-seed in the tournament, didn't start Wednesday's match until 9:22 p.m. — two hours and 22 minutes after it was scheduled to begin. 

And because of two 30-minute long lightning delays during the second-half of the match, it didn't end until roughly 12:20 a.m.

But the back-to-back defending conference tournament champs found a way to advance to the semifinal round for the ninth year in a row.

"Credit UTEP tonight, they were outstanding," said head coach John Hedlund. "Kathryn and her staff have done a great job in their first year. I'm very proud of my team. They fought through all of the delays and found a way to win through the midnight hour. We will rest up and get ready for the semifinals on Friday night."

ON Wednesday, UNT scored first and early as junior Berklee Peters drilled in her then 12th goal of the year in the 19th minute of Wednesday's match. 

The next 10 minutes would be nail-biting as UTEP matched the Mean Green's size and physicality and put pressure on the UNT net.

Senior Dominique James made a miraculous save as keeper Kelsey Brann was forced to come off her line. James, standing on the goal line, leaped her legs out and stopped a Miners shot from going in as chaos happened around her.

UTEP, though, built up enough momentum and eventually scored to tie the match. It was the first time North Texas allowed a goal at home since August and was the first conference opponent to score on them at home this season. 

Following the uncommon goal, North Texas found themselves in a spot they hadn't been in a while. But right before the halftime whistle blew, freshman Desiree Ramirez came through and put UNT back on top as she aimed top shelf. 

With the 2-1 lead going into the half, North Texas was now in the driver's seat, and an hour-long delay in the second-half wasn't going to prevent them from advancing.

To secure the win, Peters added one more goal in the 63rd minute. The goal, which was scored at 12:01 a.m. meant she had scored two goals in one match in two different days.

With a comfortable 3-1 lead, North Texas was able to hold on without much struggle and advance to the semifinal round where they'll meet the three-seed Rice on Friday 7 p.m.

UNT and Rice met less than a week ago in Houston and drew 0-0.