FLORENCE, Ala. (August 28, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team used a second half comeback to win over the Troy Trojans on Thursday night, 2-1. The Lions stay undefeated in the series over their in-state opponent.
 
North Alabama (1-1-2) scored two second half goals to complete the comeback. Captain Alice Bussey notched the first goal of the season in the 51st minute, while senior Olivia Heinert grabbed the lead with a late goal in the 80th minute.
 
Troy (3-2) took an early lead in the first half off a Jiselle Daniels goal that just got out of reach to place in the back of the net. Outside of that, graduate keeper Madison Vukas continued her strong showing with 13 saves.
 
Vukas set her previous career high in saves against ETSU with 10 in the season opener; tonight, she does it again. Not only did she set her career high but also a new high for the Lions during the Division I era as she surpasses Shelby Thornton who set the mark with 11 in a match against NJIT in 2018.
 
UNA recorded 11 shots and a season-high seven shots on goal. Bussey led all Lions with three shots – all on goal –  while Gizelle El Assal added two herself. North Alabama added five corners for the game.
 
El Assal and Charlotte Sobotka were awarded the assist for the Bussey goal, while Maddie Reynolds and Abigail Witten paired together to get the ball over to Heinert for the eventual game-winning goal.
 
The energy was in the air for the start of the in-state matchup. North Alabama quickly put the pressure on the Trojan defense all over the pitch. Lexi Vernsey and Lilly Ford started the offensive showing with a pair of shots in the 17th minute.
 
However, Troy began to battle back putting up a few shots of its own. Then, in the 31st minute, Daniels got one-on-one with a Lion defender and got just enough space to put a shot into the back of the net to take the lead.
 
As the Trojans came out of the half with the lead, all 458 fans were still as the clock beeped to start the next 45 minutes.
 
It did not take long before the crowd found their voice. Sobotka played the ball to El Assal who broke through three Trojan defenders and hooked it around a fourth to get it to the captain to score her first goal since returning to the pitch.
 
Bussey jumped into the arms of her teammates, who shared in the emotions as the game came to a tie.
 
The energy restored and the Lions found their attack. Enter Olivia Heinert in the 66th minute.
 
Witten received a pass from Reynolds on the outside and takes on a defender for a crosser. Initially, it got knocked down by the keeper. Then, like a shot of lightning, Heinert speeds in to push the ball into the net for the tie.
 
The pressure was on. Vukas had to add a couple of saves in the final few minutes to deny Troy the tie.
 
Alana Owens had a beautiful pass that just inched away from Bussey for a potential third goal of the night. The Lions close out their second home game with their first win of the season after back-to-back draws.
 
Next up, North Alabama travels to Cape Girardeau, Mo. to play Southeast Missouri at Houck Field on Sunday, August 31 at 1 p.m.
 
 For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.