FLORENCE, Ala. (August 14, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team falls in season opener to ETSU 1-0 on Thursday night in Florence. Transfer goalkeeper Madison Vukas recorded a career high 10 saves on the night; the Lions only recorded double digit saves once last season.

North Alabama (0-1) had four shots on the night and matched ETSU (1-0) in corner kicks with three. 

Junior captain Adelyn Speight and sophomore Giselle El Assal claimed the two first half shots while graduate captain Alice Bussey and sophomore Anna Fugarino found the other two in the second half.

The Bucs notched the lone goal for the game in the 19th minute after they took a corner kick from Grace Eatz that allowed for a Reagan Fitzgerald header. Vukas denied four ETSU shots prior to that goal; she went on to add two more saves in the first half.

After the first half finished, it was back and forth momentum in the final 45 minutes to be played. As things became more physical North Alabama went on the attack as they had two corner kicks in back-to-back minutes. They added their third corner in the 72nd minute but could not put the ball in for a score. 

As the clocked dwindled, the Lions felt the urgency. ETSU threw in the ball before it was stolen by sophomore defender Avery Smith that pushed it up the field to Bussey.

The graduate captain had a clear path for a one-on-one shot with the goalkeeper before McKlain Jones derailed her attempt, taking her off her feet. 

Clock stopped. Ref awarded a red card. Jones ejected, leaving ETSU with 10 players on the field. 

Bussey got her free kick from straight center, but put it inches over the top crossbar.

Fugarino got ahead of the defense as she beat her defender in on the right side of the field. She tried to squeeze her shot in between the right crossbar and the goalie but to no avail. 

The Bucs played keep away as much as they could, pushing the ball back down the field to take time away from the Lion offense. 

17 players saw action for the Lions tonight. True freshman Avery Stojakovich, captains Speight and Molly Parham, juniors Gracie Tyrrell and Lilly Ford and sophomore Avery Smith all played the full 90 minutes. 

Bussey played 61 minutes in her first full game back on the pitch since 2023. Senior Lexi Vernsey and sophomore Fugarino played 30 minutes off the bench. 

Looking ahead, North Alabama travels just a short ways away to Huntsville, Ala. to play a neutral site game against Jacksonville State at Joe Davis Stadium on Sunday, August 17 at 1:00 p.m. The Lions hosted the Gamecocks last year at the same venue.
 
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