FLORENCE, Ala. (September 19, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team dominated the University of West Georgia in Thursday night's Atlantic Sun Conference opener with a 3-0 victory at the Florence Sportsplex.
Tonight's game marked the first ASUN competition in any sport for the Wolves, who moved up to Division I from the Gulf South Conference this past summer.
North Alabama (3-4) found a new team-high for the season against West Georgia (1-6) with a season-high three goals scored in the match. Before tonight, the Lions scored a total of five goals across six games. Three different Lions found the net in junior forward
Lexi Vernsey, sophomore midfielder
Giada Aldini and freshman midfielder
Anna Fugarino.
Tonight marked the third game this season where UNA scored their first goal within the first 15 minutes of the match. Vernsey streaked down the field before finding a beautiful assist from Fugarino to secure the 1-0 start.
Fugarino's number was called again later in the match after
Adelyn Speight received a free kick off a foul on West Georgia's fifth-year forward Julia Comin. Speight's set piece would hit the top of the cross bar before bouncing off of Fugarino's chest to cushion the score.
Finally, Aldini finished off the Wolves with her penalty kick that came in the 78th minute. Aldini is no stranger to the goal at the Florence Sportsplex as she secured the first win of the season against UT Martin there. Tonight, Aldini netted the back left of the goal for the Lions to secure their third win of the season and first in the conference against longtime rival West Georgia.
Defensively, junior goalkeeper
Allanah Blye recorded her second shutout of the season.
In a hard fought battle between classic rivals, a combined 30 fouls were called and five yellow cards were assessed.
The Lions had 13 shots, including 10 in the second half, for the second-highest shot total this season. Tonight was also the second-best game for assists as two of the three had a partner help them out. UNA recorded six shot on goal and held UWG to one.
"This was a great way to start off ASUN play in front of an unbelievable crowd," said head coach
Chris Walker. "I was pleased with the girls' performance, especially in the second half. It was nice to get three different names on the score sheet. West Georgia fought hard all game and pushed us to the very end. They will be a tough team for teams to come up against this year."
This marks the second straight season UNA begins ASUN play with a win. In 2023, the Lions beat former ASUN foe Kennesaw State by a score of 2-0. In 2022, the Lions tied Eastern Kentucky in a scoreless bout.
Tonight marks the fifth straight game with a different starting lineup for Walker and staff, which paid dividends offensively. Walker is now three wins away from hitting the century mark for wins in his career.
It is all ASUN play from here on out, as the Lions will head to Charlotte, N.C. to play Queens University on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. North Alabama squared off against the Royals in the ASUN Quarterfinal Round in Florence, Ala. winning 1-0 and then advancing to the ASUN Semifinal Round.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
