Thursday, September 4
7 PM
University of North Texas
4-3-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Abilene Christian
3-4-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Abilene Christian
0
1
1
North Texas
1
1
2
Photo by: Zach Del Bello / Mean Green Sports
Niedermeier Nets Game-Winner in 90th to Beat ACU
9/4/2025 9:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DENTON, Texas — UNT sophomore Claire Niedermeier's 90th-minute no-look turnaround goal lifted her side to a 2-1 victory over Abilene Christian at the Mean Green Soccer Stadium Thursday night.
Niedermeier's match-winning goal came with 23 seconds left on the clock. The Mean Green forward rebounded a deflected shot by her classmate Emma King inside the six-yard box. Niedermeier turned her back to the goal to recover the spilled save and without looking turned and ripped her shot past the ACU keeper.
"Well I loved our fast start tonight going up on them 1-0 in the first few minutes and then Rydlli had a great chance right after but one of their defenders saved it off the goal line," said head coach John Hedlund. "If we get the two-goal lead then it's definitely a different game and not as tight. But I was extremely happy with the way we ended the game. Emma (King), who we just got back from an injury nearly scored and then Claire doing what she does best beating their keeper with the great goal to win it."
Niedermeier's game-winner in the 90th minute was the first UNT goal in the final minute since Allie Byrd's game-winner against La Tech on Oct. 29, 2022 - also a 2-1 final.
The first half began with UNT (4-3) quickly taking control as Peyton Renfro found the back of the net in the third minute, assisted by junior Mia Bernard. The home side continued to apply pressure with several attempts on goal, including two shots from Summer Brown that were both saved by Abilene Christian's (3-4) goalkeeper, Lili Ross. UNT maintained its defensive composure, with Alina Arneth making a crucial save in the final minutes to preserve a 1-0 lead at the end of the half.
The second half commenced with the Mean Green applying immediate pressure, as Niedermeier took multiple shots early, though Ross managed to keep Abilene Christian in the game. Despite a penalty kick goal by Abby Smith in the 53rd minute giving ACU an equalizer, UNT continued to push forward, creating several scoring opportunities. Persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Niedermeier found the back of the net, securing the 2-1 victory.
Next up for UNT is a four-match road trip starting with a Sunday match at ULM at 1 p.m.
Niedermeier's match-winning goal came with 23 seconds left on the clock. The Mean Green forward rebounded a deflected shot by her classmate Emma King inside the six-yard box. Niedermeier turned her back to the goal to recover the spilled save and without looking turned and ripped her shot past the ACU keeper.
"Well I loved our fast start tonight going up on them 1-0 in the first few minutes and then Rydlli had a great chance right after but one of their defenders saved it off the goal line," said head coach John Hedlund. "If we get the two-goal lead then it's definitely a different game and not as tight. But I was extremely happy with the way we ended the game. Emma (King), who we just got back from an injury nearly scored and then Claire doing what she does best beating their keeper with the great goal to win it."
Niedermeier's game-winner in the 90th minute was the first UNT goal in the final minute since Allie Byrd's game-winner against La Tech on Oct. 29, 2022 - also a 2-1 final.
The first half began with UNT (4-3) quickly taking control as Peyton Renfro found the back of the net in the third minute, assisted by junior Mia Bernard. The home side continued to apply pressure with several attempts on goal, including two shots from Summer Brown that were both saved by Abilene Christian's (3-4) goalkeeper, Lili Ross. UNT maintained its defensive composure, with Alina Arneth making a crucial save in the final minutes to preserve a 1-0 lead at the end of the half.
The second half commenced with the Mean Green applying immediate pressure, as Niedermeier took multiple shots early, though Ross managed to keep Abilene Christian in the game. Despite a penalty kick goal by Abby Smith in the 53rd minute giving ACU an equalizer, UNT continued to push forward, creating several scoring opportunities. Persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Niedermeier found the back of the net, securing the 2-1 victory.
Next up for UNT is a four-match road trip starting with a Sunday match at ULM at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
ACU
UNT
Goals
1
2
Shots
9
21
Shots on Goal
4
11
Saves
8
3
Corners
1
6
Fouls
6
12
Scoring Plays
Peyton Renfro (2)
Assisted By: Mia Bernard
GOAL by UNT Renfro, Peyton Assist by Bernard, Mia.
02:50
Abby Smith (1)
ACU Abby Smith PENALTY KICK GOAL.
53:00
Claire Niedermeier (3)
GOAL by UNT Niedermeier, Claire.
89:31
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfield
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defense
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