UNT-ULM soccer

North Texas midfielder Mia Bernard warms up before UNT’s game against Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday at Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium. UNT won its home opener 1-0.

UNT athletics

Payton Annis kept it simple Thursday night in the North Texas soccer team’s home opener.

UNT hadn’t scored in more than a game and a half with the clock quickly draining away in a game against Louisiana-Monroe at Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium.

The sophomore had a chance to change that and jumped all over it, making a run that paid off in the Mean Green’s 1-0 win.

“I saw the goal and went for the goal,” Annis said. “I knew they didn’t have speed in the back. I drove and thought, ‘I’m going to shoot this.’”

ULM goalkeeper Jen Handy made the initial save before the ball bounded away near the goal line. Claire Niedermeier capitalized on the opportunity, planting it in the back of the net in the 61st minute. That goal gave UNT its first win in what is a historic season for the Mean Green.

UNT coach John Hedlund is set to retire at the end of the season, his 32nd guiding the program.

Annis picked up the assist in the process and helped UNT bounce back from a 2-0 shutout loss to SMU in the Mean Green’s season-opener.

“The SMU game really fueled us,” defender Lillian Vandiver said. “We went out there with a lot of energy.”

The challenge for UNT (1-1) this season is largely to capitalize on more of its scoring chances.

The Mean Green have talked about it and worked on it.

Annis and Niedermeier capitalized for what UNT hopes is a goal that will get its top scorers on track.

“It was a great feeling,” Niedermeier said. “Payton made a great run and took a great shot. I saw the ball rolling.”

The Mean Green are hoping to see more of the same offensively as they look to complement a defense that has allowed just two goals in three games, counting an exhibition win over Navarro College. Sarah Margaret Seabrook posted four saves for UNT in its shutout of ULM.

The only goals UNT has allowed on the season came against SMU.

“This can get us going,” Niedermeier said. “We have been harping on getting more shots and finishing our chances.”

UNT finished the one that mattered in its win over the Warhawks and took a step toward its overall goal.

“It feels great to win on our home field,” Annis said. “We didn’t have a good year last year, and this is John’s last season.

“We want to do big things this year and have that potential.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and bvito@dentonrc.com.

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