Soccer Downs UTSA in Hedlund's Final Home Match - University of North Texas Athletics

Friday, October 30

Denton, TX

7 PM

University of North Texas

5-6-6, 1-3-5

UTSA

7-5-5, 3-4-2

Team	1	2	Final F
UTSA	0	1	1
North Texas	1	1	2

John Hedlund after final home game against UTSA

10/30/2026 10:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

DENTON — Prior to Friday night's home finale against rival UTSA, legendary UNT soccer coach John Hedlund told his team a simple message.

"Don't play for me," he said to his players. "Play for yourselves and play for this program."

Turns out, all sentiments could be true, as the Mean Green downed UTSA, 2-1, to pick up their first conference win of the season after three straight draws and keep hope alive for a postseason tournament berth in Hedlund's final match on the field that bears his name, as he's set to retire after 32 seasons at the helm of the program he started from scratch.

The Mean Green (5-6-6, 1-3-5) seemed to have a little extra gas in their tanks — whatever the motivation — in a physical match on a rainy night but built a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute on a beautiful goal from sophomore forward Payton Annis before conceding in the 79th minute and buckling down in the final 10 to secure the win and three points in the conference standings.

"It's always a great game between these two programs, and to no one's surprise, it was another thriller!" Hedlund said. "We've been playing at a whole new level since the Rice match, and after the way we fought and played against the top team, Memphis, on Sunday, this team truly feels like they can beat anyone."

The Mean Green started the scoring in the 24th minute when Annis stood over the ball on a free kick and delivered a perfect ball into the six-yard box where junior defender Beya Rosales headed it into the back of the net for her third goal of the season.

The game shut the record book on Hedlund's home career with one regular-season match remaining on Tuesday at Tulsa. The Mean Green must win that match and get some help from other teams to qualify for the American Conference tournament.

In his career, Hedlund finished with a 225-50-29 mark in home matches, and UNT still holds the NCAA record for longest unbeaten streak in conference home matches with 65, set from 2009-2022.

"I thanked my entire team after the match for giving me such an incredible win in my final home game," Hedlund said. "It's a memory I will cherish forever!"