Thursday, August 14
7 PM
University of North Texas
0-0-0
1
vs
2
Incarnate Word
0-0-0
1
2
F
UIW
1
1
2
North Texas
0
1
1
Photo by: Zach Del Bello
Mean Green Fall in Season Opener
8/14/2025 11:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DENTON – The UNT soccer team dropped its season opener on Thursday, falling, 2-1, to Incarnate Word.
The Mean Green (0-1-0) outshot UIW 38-6 and put 14 on goal, compared to UIW's two – both of which the Cardinals were able to convert for the win.
UIW (1-0-0) started off the scoring in the 23rd minute with a goal from Alex Knutson off a corner kick and just moments later, the game was delayed for just over two hours due to several lightning strikes in the area.
Soon after the game resumed following the delay, freshman Payton Annis converted her first collegiate goal on a rocket from her left foot from just outside the box into the back of the net to even the game at 1-1. Annis' goal was the first for a legacy player in program history, as she is the daughter of Caree Ridenour (2001-04), and the second legacy player in program history.
It was then that head coach John Hedlund, who began his 31st season leading the Mean Green, thought his team might go on a scoring run, but that never materialized, despite peppering the UIW net with shots.
"I was a little nervous going into this game," Hedlund said. "It was our first game and we play a lot of young people, and I didn't know how they'd react. We didn't have any exhibition, so I was just like, 'OK, here we go.' Then we outshot them 38-6, so it's frustrating."
The Mean Green will return to action on Sunday night, when they host Sam Houston at 7 p.m.
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.
The Mean Green (0-1-0) outshot UIW 38-6 and put 14 on goal, compared to UIW's two – both of which the Cardinals were able to convert for the win.
UIW (1-0-0) started off the scoring in the 23rd minute with a goal from Alex Knutson off a corner kick and just moments later, the game was delayed for just over two hours due to several lightning strikes in the area.
Soon after the game resumed following the delay, freshman Payton Annis converted her first collegiate goal on a rocket from her left foot from just outside the box into the back of the net to even the game at 1-1. Annis' goal was the first for a legacy player in program history, as she is the daughter of Caree Ridenour (2001-04), and the second legacy player in program history.
It was then that head coach John Hedlund, who began his 31st season leading the Mean Green, thought his team might go on a scoring run, but that never materialized, despite peppering the UIW net with shots.
"I was a little nervous going into this game," Hedlund said. "It was our first game and we play a lot of young people, and I didn't know how they'd react. We didn't have any exhibition, so I was just like, 'OK, here we go.' Then we outshot them 38-6, so it's frustrating."
The Mean Green will return to action on Sunday night, when they host Sam Houston at 7 p.m.
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.
Team Stats
UIW
UNT
Goals
2
1
Shots
6
38
Shots on Goal
2
14
Saves
13
0
Corners
2
7
Fouls
3
7
Scoring Plays
Knutson, Alex
Assisted By: Duffy, Sinead
Scored at the top right of goal
22:28
Annis, Payton
Scored at the bottom left of goal off left foot
49:43
Unruh, Grasyn
Assisted By: Coker, Tyler
Scored at the bottom right of goal off right foot
62:58
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
10
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
6
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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