FLORENCE, Ala. (October 4, 2023) – The University of North Alabama soccer team returns to Florence for the final two home matches of the regular season. The Lions take on Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. before squaring off with Bellarmine on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. Both games will be played at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.
 
MATCHUPS
 
North Alabama vs Eastern Kentucky
Thursday, October 5
7 p.m.
Florence, Alabama
 
Live Stats | Watch | Game Notes
 
North Alabama vs Bellarmine
Sunday, October 8
1 p.m.
Florence, Alabama
 
Live Stats | Watch
 
NOTES
 
EKU Series History: North Alabama and Eastern Kentucky met on two occasions prior to Thursday's match with EKU holding a 1-0-1 edge over the Lions. This will be the first-ever match between the two schools to take place in Florence. The last meeting, which came last season, resulted in a scoreless draw in Richmond, Ky. on September 15, 2022.
 
Scouting the Colonels: EKU currently sits in fourth place in the ASUN standings through six conference matches with a 3-1-2 record. The Colonels are coached by Matt Cosinuke who is in his fourth season at the helm. EKU has an overall record of 4-6-3 this season. 
 
Bellarmine Series History: North Alabama is 0-1-3 all time against Bellarmine with the last meeting coming in 2022. Three of the four matches between the two schools have resulted in draws, with the most recent meeting resulting in a scoreless tie in Louisville, Ky. last season.  
 
Scouting the Knights: Bellarmine enters their Thursday matchup against Central Arkansas with a 4-4-5 record (1-2-3 ASUN). The Knights are led by head coach Paul Babba who is in his second season with the women's soccer program. Babba has a record of 5-11-14 as the head coach of the Bellarmine Knights.
 
Austin Peay Recap: Austin Peay netted an 81st minute winner to give the Governors a 1-0 victory over the Lions on Sunday in Clarksville. North Alabama outshot APSU 12-6 and earned seven corners while not allowing a single corner kick from the governors but could not overcome the late goal by Austin Peay defender Lindsey McMahon.
 

ASUN Tournament Outlook: With a 2-3-1 record in ASUN matches, the Lions currently sit in sixth place in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings. The top eight schools will earn a bid to the 2023 ASUN Championship beginning on October 26 and going through November 5. The Lions have participated in the ASUN Tournament twice before, with a record of 2-2 in tournament matches. UNA appeared in the 2018 ASUN Championship, winning two games over Kennesaw State and NJIT before falling 3-2 to Lipscomb in the final.
 
One Goal Wonders: In a 13-match span over 347 days, the UNA soccer team did not suffer a loss by more than one goal. The Lions boasted a record of 6-4-3. Prior to Lipscomb, the last time the Lions lost by more than one came in a 3-1 loss on Oct. 16, 2022 to Central Arkansas.
 
Just (Corner) Kickin' It: The UNA soccer team has earned 87 corner kicks so far this season while allowing just 22 attempts. The Lions lead all ASUN schools in corner kicks, with the next closest team being Lipscomb with 72. North Alabama is allowing just 1.6 corners per match while earning 6.2 per match.
 
Home Sweet Home: The homestand against EKU and Bellarmine represents the final two regular season home matches of the season for the Lions. North Alabama Soccer is 85-43-9 all-time at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex with a 49-32-8 record under coach Chris Walker. The Lions have a home record of 3-2-1 so far this season with wins coming over Alcorn State, Southern Illinois and Stetson.
 
 For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.