HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (August 17, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team went a full 90 minutes with Jacksonville State and ended in a 0-0 tie on Sunday afternoon in Huntsville. This is the first tie for the Lions since Oct. 21, 2023 against Central Arkansas, which too, ended 0-0.
Jacksonville State (1-0-1) recorded five shots on goal for the game and goalkeeper Madison Vukas thwarted every attempt, taking her saves total to 15 on the year.
North Alabama (0-1-1) had two shots on goal for the contest. The Lions went on the attack in this game as they created havoc for the Gamecocks backline.
Forwards Olivia Heinert and Alice Bussey each recorded a shot on goal; Heinert's came in the first half and Bussey's came in the second.
UNA added five corner kicks for the neutral site showdown, a strong suit of the Lions game under Chris Walker. The Lions totaled seven shots overall as Lexi Vernsey claimed two as well as Heinert. Anna Fugarino, Meg Welsh and Bussey added the other three.
JSU had a solid chance off a corner in the first half that gave a Gamecock a header opportunity that hit the top of the cross bar and popped out to leave the team scoreless.
Freshman Welsh had a chance for the Lions as well but missed it out to the right.
No shots on goal were recorded for the final 15 minutes of the contest.
The starting lineup stayed the same heading into the second game of the season. However, head coach Chris Walker dipped into the reserves as 21 players saw the pitch this afternoon.
Five Lions played all 90 minutes which included Vukas, Adelyn Speight, Molly Parham, Gracie Tyrrell and Lilly Ford.
Sophomore defender Langley Wallace saw 66 minutes of action for her first game of the season. Freshman Mya Barr as well as sophomore's Emerson Nieroda and Abigail Witten saw their first minutes of action this season.
Next up, North Alabama gets their first road game of the season in Martin, Tenn. against UT Martin on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. The Lions earned their first win of 2024 against the Skyhawks last year.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
