DENTON — In the first of two preseason exhibition matches, the defending Conference USA Tournament champion Mean Green women's soccer team lost 1-0 Friday night to the Oklahoma Sooners at the Mean Green Soccer Complex.

 A first-half goal by the Sooners' Hailey Davidson in the 26th minute was the difference. Davidson found the back of the net by striking a blocked shot that found her feet in the middle of the box and a open net in front of her.

As the match progressed, North Texas put on heavy pressure by finding open teammates on deep passes on counters and playing physical on both ends of the field. UNT outshout Oklahoma 10-4 in the second-half and put six shots on goal during the half, three coming late in the match.

"It's a decent baseline," said captain Dominique James. "It sucks we gave up the early goal and couldn't score but I was pretty encouraged by how we played and how we looked in our new system. The newcomers played well and all fit well. I think if we can just tweak a few things and continue to grow from here we'll be solid."

North Texas nearly scored on a number of counters in the second-half and free kicks by freshman defender Zoe Gomez kept the pressure on. 

UNT's best opportunities in the second-half came on a counter when forward Aaliyah Nolan places a perfect pass to captain Natalie Newell who sprinted down the south side of the field, crossed the ball to center but just nearly overshot the streaking North Texas player.

A late scrum in the box nearly tied the game as well, but a blocked shot and a save by Oklahoma allowed them to maintain their lead. 

"It's trusting because we loss," James said. "But its early and I'm confident the pieces will come together for us."

North Texas is back in action on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at home versus SMU for its final preseason exhibition match. 

MEAN GREEN QUICK SHOTS

• Defender and C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Dominique James played all 90 minutes for the Mean Green
• Freshman Zoe Gomez led the team with three shots on goal
• North Texas out shot Oklahoma 12-8 for the match