FLORENCE, Ala. (October 9, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team is playing the third game of a four-game home stretch as Jacksonville University comes to Florence, Ala. on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Florence Sportsplex. 
 
Thursday marks the final regular season match that will be played at the Florence Sportsplex in 2024. For the final two regular season games, the Lions will transition to the Cox Creek Sports Complex, beginning with Sunday's match against North Florida. 
 
Fans can follow along through live stats which will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. Fans can also watch the broadcast on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Mike Ezekiel on the call.
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Jacksonville
Thursday, October 9
7 p.m.
Florence, Ala. – Florence Sportsplex
1 Sportsplex Drive Florence, AL 35633
 
LIVE STATS | ESPN+ | GAME NOTES
 
NOTES
 
ABOUT LAST GAME: UNA dropped its second straight home game on Sunday, as the Lions fell to EKU by a 4-1 final at the Florence Sportsplex. The Lions set their team-high for shots in their Thursday night game against Bellarmine with 17 shots, and with a 13 shot second half against EKU, the Lions tied that mark again. The 13-shot second half was the most for UNA in a single half this year. This game started a lot differently, as the first half saw the Colonels score two goals in the first 10 minutes. Eastern Kentucky would add two more goals before the 40th minute to secure a comfortable lead. The Lions scored off of a corner from sophomore midfielder Adelyn Speight in the 75th minute that curved in the back-right corner of the net. 

SERIES HISTORY: This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams. The Lions are 3-1 in this matchup with a win just as recently as last season. This is the first time UNA and JU will play three consecutive seasons. Since joining the ASUN, the Lions have won three of four with three shutouts against the Dolphins.The Lions have outscored the Dolphins in this series, 5-1.

SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS: The Dolphins come to Florence with a 2-8-2 record and a 1-4-1 record in the conference to sit 10th in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings with four points. They have been outscored 11-1 in their ASUN matchups. JU lost to Austin Peay 4-1 at home on Oct. 6, but before that had been shut out in four consecutive games. They are 1-3-1 on the road this season, being outscored 8-2 giving up just under two goals per game. 
 
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER: Senior forward Haley Patterson is quickly rising up the rankings to lead the offensive unit for the Lions. She is tied for third on the team in goals (1), fourth in assists (1) and tied for fourth in points (3). The biggest mark is that she leads the team in shots with 23, 10 more than any other player for North Alabama. She also leads the team with shots on goal with 12, six more than any other player on the team. 
 
FINAL FLORENCE SPORTSPLEX NIGHT: The University of North Alabama began construction on a new on-campus facility, Bank Independent Stadium, which will house the football and soccer teams starting in 2026. Throughout the 2024 season, the Lions have been housed at the Florence Sportsplex for home matches, which sports a grass field. This will be the final game of the 2024 season at the Florence Sportsplex as the Lions will transition to the Cox Creek Sports Complex Sunday against North Florida. The Cox Creek Sports Complex features new FieldTurf.
 
STACKING WINS: Head coach Chris Walker is on the way to eclipsing the century mark for his career in wins. Since he has been at UNA, he has accomplished a 97-91-23 overall record in his 12 years and is three wins shy of his 100th career win. He is 14 away from tying former Lion head coach Graham Winkworth's all-time record of 111 wins. 
 
NEXT GAME: North Alabama plays its final home game of this four-game stretch on Sunday, Oct. 13 against North Florida at the Cox Creek Sports Complex in Florence, Ala. at 1 p.m. This will be the first-ever sporting event at the new UNA turf facility located on Cox Creek near Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium and the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts. 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.