FLORENCE, Ala. -- Off to an impressive start in its first season of NCAA Division I competition, the University of North Alabama women's soccer team will face two major challenges this weekend when the Lions host Abilene Christian on Friday and UAB on Monday at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.

North Alabama opened its season with five straight wins before suffering its first loss of the season last Sunday at Vanderbilt. The Lions were also shutout for the first time in a 4-0 loss.

The Lions are currently tied with Southern Mississippi as the top scoring teams in Division I soccer with 3.80 goals per match. UNA scored 18 goals in its first four matches and then downed Jacksonville State 1-0 before being shutout at Vanderbilt.

Abilene Christian brings a 3-2 overall record into their Friday night, September 7 match, which begins at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats are coming off a 3-2 home win over New Mexico State and their two losses came against Big 12 Conference members Baylor and Texas Tech. Abilene Christian has scored five goals this season and allowed five.

The Lions host UAB on September 9 at 1 p.m. The Blazers are 2-3 overall, defeated Georgia State 2-0 in their last outing. UAB's losses are to South Alabama, Auburn and Memphis. The Blazers were shutout in all three of their losses and have scored just four goals all season.  

North Alabama has had nine different individuals score at least one goal this season, led by junior Shelby Wall of Auburn, Ala., and senior Kylie Huey of Arlington, Tenn., with four goals each.

Senior goalkeeper Shelby Thornton of Amory, Miss., leads a defensive front that has allowed just 1.17 goals per match.