MARTIN, Tenn. (August 20, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team gets its first true road game of the season on Thursday night, August 21 at 7 p.m. against UT Martin.
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcasted and streamed via ESPN+.
MATCHUP
North Alabama at UT Martin
Thursday, August 21
7 p.m.
Martin, Tenn. – Skyhawk Soccer Field
3 Pat Head Summitt Dr.
Martin, TN 38237
LIVE STATS | ESPN+
NOTES
SERIES HISTORY: This is the fifth meeting between the two programs, with only two coming during the Division I era. The series is split 2-2. The two squared off in back-to-back seasons in 1998 and 1999 where the programs split the pair of games. Neither team has won on the road in this series with both wins for UNA coming at home. In the two losses on the road, the Lions have let up an average of four goals. However, UNA blanked the Skyhawks in the season opener a year ago. Midfielder Giada Aldini recorded the lone goal of the game in the 63rd minute with the assist from former captain Montana Merkle. This was the fourth straight game with a goal for the Lions. The back-to-back seasons with a matchup is the first since 1998-1999.
SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS: This will be the second straight game at home for UTM. The Skyhawks had their season opener canceled against No. 20 Mississippi State before bringing the Red Wolves of Arkansas State to town. UTM scored a goal in the fifth minute of the game while ASU tied it in the 84th minute to finish in a tie. Both had double digit shots while UT Martin beat Arkansas State in shots (13) and corner kicks (10). Three players finished with two or more shots with Peyton Cook leading the group with three. UT Martin was picked to finish eighth in the OVC preseason polls while adding two preseason honors in defender Parker Gelinas and forward Peyton Cook.
ABOUT LAST GAME: 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 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 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.
VITAL VUKAS: Transfer graduate goalkeeper Madison Vukas has made headlines in week one and deservedly so. Vukas recorded her career high in saves in game one against ETSU with 10 and followed it up with a shutout against CUSA Jacksonville State. After week one she sits fourth in the ASUN for saves, sixth for GAA (.500), third for shutouts per game (.500) and fourth for saves per game (7.50). She adds a .938 save percentage as she is off to a hot start this season. The graduate has faced 16 on-target shots in the young season and has 15 saves, which is currently the 19th-most by any keeper in NCAA Division I.
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PATTERNS: The Lions opened the season with a 1-0 loss and a tie, drawing a slight symmetry to the 2023 season. As mentioned, UNA went on a run in 2023 that saw an ASUN Final appearance, the second in program history. That season? A 1-0 loss to Belmont and a 1-1 tie to Southern Indiana. This season? A 1-0 loss to ETSU (another Tennessee based team) and a 0-0 tie. The Lions went on to win or tie the next eight of nine games played in 2023. As similarities go, the next game following the tie in 2023 and 2025 both are Tennessee based teams again; Chattanooga in 2023 and UT Martin in 2025.
NEXT GAME: Following the road game showdown with the Skyhawks, the Lions get a week's worth of rest before they host in-state opponent Troy at the Cox Creek Sports Complex. North Alabama brings the Trojans to town on August 28 at 7 p.m. for the first time since 2018.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
