Soccer Kicks Off 2024 Season Thursday Versus Oklahoma

DENTON – The 2024 UNT soccer season officially begins Thursday night when the Mean Green host Oklahoma at 7 p.m. CT.

Thursday's season opener will be streamed on ESPN+.

North Texas, which is entering its 30th overall season as program all led by John Hedlund, have never had a losing season and have the goal of capturing its 17th overall conference championship.

This season's team has a large 12-person freshman class that are expected to contribute right away. However, they also have a solid mix of upperclassmen who are back. Eight of the Mean Green's 11 primary starters from last season have returned, including three of their top four goal scorers from last season such as all-conference forward Bailey Wesco. Also back is 2024 Preseason American Athletic Conference Watch List honoree goalkeeper Maddie Ogden.

UNT starts its campaign against an OU squad they are familiar with. Thursday will mark the fourth time in the last four years the two teams have met. North Texas leads the all-time series history against the Sooners 6-3-1.

The opening week schedule doesn't get any lighter after Thursday as the Mean Green welcome 2022 NCAA Tournament semifinalist Alabama to the Mean Green Soccer Stadium on Saturday for a 7 p.m. CT start.

North Texas was one of the AAC's top scoring team's last season and that trend appears to continue to this season after the Mean Green scored five goals over two exhibition road matches last week. UNT netted three goals at Colorado last Saturday who are earning top 25 recognition in some national polls.

QUICK HITS

Head coach John Hedlund enters the 2024 season with 393 career wins, which ranks 10th among active DI women's soccer head coaches
A UNT newcomer has scored a goal in seven of the last eight home openers.
The Mean Green have won 12 straight season openers dating back to 2012. They have not lost a season opener since 2005 when they fell to Eastern Illinois in El Paso, Texas, 2-0. UNT drew with Oral Roberts in 2011, 2-2. UNT has won or drew its season opener in 17 straight seasons.
UNT is 3-2-0 all-time at home versus Oklahoma
All-time North Texas has 13 wins versus active teams in the SEC
The last time North Texas played an SEC opponent – who was at the time of the match in the SEC – was in the 2019 NCAA Tournament when they faced Arkansas in the first round
The last time North Texas hosted an SEC opponent – who was at the time of the match in the SEC – was in 2018 when they hosted Alabama and drew with the Crimson Tide 1-1.
This is the first time in program history the Mean Green have hosted multiple SEC opponents in a single season let alone the first two matches of the year.

For more information on UNT Soccer tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or at ticketoffice@unt.edu. Fans can visit the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Maddie Ogden

Bailey Wesco

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