The North Texas women’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 defeat against Air Force on Sunday at Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium. The result ended the Mean Green’s three-game unbeaten run and marked their first loss of the season, which opened with a defeat at SMU.
Air Force secured the victory in the 74th minute when Maddy Walsh headed in a rebound after Mai Mateaki’s shot struck the crossbar. The goal was reviewed for an offsides infraction but remained on the board.
North Texas forward Claire Niedermeier, who had scored five goals during the previous unbeaten streak including a hat trick against McNeese, did not find the net in this contest. Head coach John Hedlund noted that Niedermeier appeared fatigued and missed several clear opportunities. He emphasized the team’s reliance on her scoring output.
"If Claire’s not scoring, I don’t know where the goals are going to come from," Hedlund said. "We need others to step up, and they didn't do it. That’s the disappointing thing for me."
The Mean Green recorded six shots on goal but failed to convert. Junior forward Rydlii Rives is the only other player to score for North Texas this season, with a single goal. Forward Mia Bernard acknowledged the team's struggle to finish chances.
"We just have to find a way to get it in the back of the net other than Claire," Bernard said. "We need to have confidence in the box."
