OXFORD, Miss. – Despite a heroic effort by senior goalkeeper Savannah Stewart, the University of North Alabama came out on the short end of a 2-0 score in the Lions season-opening soccer match at Ole Miss.
 
The Rebels had 24 shots in the match but managed just two goals, due in large part to the play of Stewart and the UNA defenders. Stewart recorded nine saves in goal and made diving blocks on several other balls in the goal area.
 
Despite being out-shot seven to one over the first 28 minutes, the Lions held the Rebels off the scoreboard until a penalty kick at the 17:00 mark gave Ole Miss the lead. Channing Foster put the ball in the bottom right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
In all, Ole Miss had 14 first half shots but Stewart gave a stellar effort in goal, denying numerous Rebel threats and recording four saves.
 
Mo O'Connor scored the Rebels' second goal of the match at the 60:38 mark, rebounding her own missed shot off the side post and putting it in the back of the net.
 
North Alabama had four shots in the match but just one shot on goal. Ole Miss had 27 total shots.
 
The Lions travel to Carbondale, Ill., on Sunday to face Southern Illinois in match scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
 
UNA plays its first home match on August 30 against Chattanooga at 7:00 p.m.