UNT Explodes For 10 Goals On Special Night for Hedlund

Thursday, September 10

Denton, TX

7 PM

University of North Texas

3-3-1, 0-0-0

Nelson

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Nelson	0	0	0
North Texas	2	8	10

John Hedlund Field Naming ceremony before Nelson match

9/10/2026 10:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

DENTON — The UNT soccer team had a lot to celebrate on Thursday night, as the home of Mean Green soccer was officially named in a pregame ceremony after the team's only head coach in history, John Hedlund.

But there was plenty for the Mean Green to celebrate once the game began, as well, as Hedlund's squad put on an offensive display in a 10-0 win over Nelson.

Junior forward Claire Niedermeier and fifth-year forward Mya Mitchell scored two goals apiece, while senior midfielder Mia Bernard, junior defender Beya Rosales and sophomore defender Lillian Vandiver all scored their first goals of the season. Even a trio of freshmen got in on the action, as Makayla Sellyei, Alexa Perreira and Sophie Altieri all scored their first collegiate goals as UNT outshot Nelson 41-2.

"Tonight was an unforgettable evening for my family and me," Hedlund said. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to [Vice President and Director of Athletics] Jared [Mosley] and the Board of Regents for making this incredible honor possible. I also want to thank Matt [Witty] and Connor [Smith] for their work on the signage and placement, and Tim [Pernetti], our outstanding [American Conference] commissioner, for being there to share in such a special occasion."

Once the game began, Rosales got the scoring started in the 5th minute when she headed in a corner kick from Bernard, and Vandiver found the back of the net off another set piece in the 35th minute to send UNT to the halftime break up 2-0.

It didn't take long for the floodgates to open for the Mean Green (3-3-1) in the second half, as Bernard scored in the 47th minute and then Mitchell put in two point blank shots in the 50th and 51st minutes – with all three of those early second-half goals coming off assists from senior defender Lily Cunningham.

Niedermeier scored back-to-back goals in the 53rd and 57th minutes to put UNT up 7-0 before the trio of freshmen rounded out the scoring in the final 15 minutes of the match.

"We played everybody on our roster tonight, and a lot of new faces scored and did really well," Hedlund said. "A lot of these kids hadn't played yet and they got on the field tonight and did really well and you're seeing a few kids get their first goals with a lot of upperclassmen on the bench cheering them on. That's one of the greatest moments is playing your first game and you score. That's something you're always going to remember. I didn't want to run the score up but I wanted to make sure everybody played and the goals started to come in the second half."

Ten goals aside, however, the night belonged to Hedlund, who is amid his 32nd season at the helm of the program he started from scratch in 1995 and has gone on to win 16 conference championships with while setting numerous NCAA records. He said he was honored to have his name on the field at Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium and it's something he'll cherish forever.

"Having the field named after me is truly one of the greatest honors of my life," Hedlund said. "But I see this recognition as more than a personal achievement. To me, it represents the many outstanding players who chose to come here, wear the green and white, and help establish a championship tradition. It reflects the dedication of the exceptional coaches who worked alongside me, as well as the staff and administrators whose commitment supported our program every step of the way.

"Most importantly, it honors our loyal fans. Their passion, support, and unwavering belief inspired us to compete at the highest level and strive for excellence every day. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and humbled to have my name associated with a place that represents so many wonderful memories and accomplishments. This honor belongs to everyone who played a role in our success, and I am proud to share it with all of you. Thank you to the university and to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. My family and I will cherish this moment forever."

For more information on UNT Soccer tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or atticketoffice @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. For those interested in purchasing group tickets (10 or more), visit here for more information.