FLORENCE, Ala.  (September 20, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team begins Atlantic Sun Conference play against Central Arkansas at the Cox Creek Sports Complex in Florence on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m.
 
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcast and streamed on ESPN+ with Grant Wakefield and Amy Butler Bailey on the call.
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Sunday, Sept. 21
1 p.m.
Florence, Ala. – Florence Sportsplex
1 Sportsplex Drive Florence, AL 35633
 
LIVE STATS | ESPN+ | TICKETS
 
NOTES
 
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 13th meeting between the two programs, dating back to 1998. North Alabama holds a 4-7-1 record against Central Arkansas. From 1998-2001, UNA shut out the Bears in four straight games with a combined 12-0 score. The teams played annually until 2005, when UCA left the Gulf South Conference. The rivalry resumed in 2021 when the Bears joined the ASUN. Since then, the Lions are 0-3-1 against Central Arkansas. On Senior Day in 2024, Central Arkansas came to Florence as the ASUN's No. 2 seed. The tight season finale was decided in the 79th minute by UCA's second goal to win 2-1. UNA matched UCA's seven corner kicks but couldn't equalize.

SCOUTING THE BEARS: Central Arkansas enters with a 3-4 record ahead of conference play. The wins came against UL Monroe, Sacramento State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The most recent loss was 1-0 to Missouri State. The Bears were picked fourth in the ASUN preseason poll. Former head coach Jeremy Bishop recently moved into administration, succeeding longtime Sports Information Director Steve East. Former assistant Derek Nichols is now the head coach. UCA allows nearly 16 shots per game and has conceded over a goal per game, with only two shutouts this season.

ABOUT LAST GAME: The UNA women's soccer team earned its fourth win of the season Sunday night, defeating Tennessee Tech 1-0 on the road in Cookeville, Tenn. Alice Bussey scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute, lifting the Lions to their fourth victory of the season. Bussey's goal — her fourth of the season — ties her with Allison Harris for 11th in program history with 21 career goals. Bussey logged five shots with three on goal in her 72 minutes of action. North Alabama recorded its fifth shutout in eight games this season as keeper Madison Vukas kept Tennessee Tech off the board with five saves. Vukas continues to lead the Atlantic Sun Conference in shutouts.
 
BUILT FORD TOUGH: On Monday, the Atlantic Sun Conference announced junior Lilly Ford as the ASUN Defender of the Week. Ford led the Lion defense to their fifth clean sheet of the season over Tennessee Tech, 1-0. Known for her disruptive presence, Ford has consistently clogged passing lanes, intercepted attacks and shut down scoring opportunities throughout the season. The junior transfer led a defense that saw 15 shots but allowed only five on target. The defense did not allow any corner kick opportunities in the second half of play. The defense has allowed only three goals through eight games this season. Through her play alongside the team, the Lions lead the ASUN in goals allowed at an average of .38 in 720 minutes of play. She is the third Lion to win an ASUN weekly award alongside Bussey and Adelyn Speight.
 
MY KEEPER'S KEEPER: Goalkeeper Madison Vukas is a household name across the ASUN, and now the nation. Nationally, she sits in fifth in shutouts (5) and fifth in save percentage (.936). After her fifth shutout, she moved up to 17th in the nation for GAA with .375 for the season. Statistically, she is first in shutouts, GAA and save percentage across the ASUN. 
 
TO CONFERENCE PLAY!: The ASUN moved to two divisions ahead of the 2025 spring season, meaning teams will only play within the division during the regular season. During post season, each division matches up with the other in the first round, including top seeds against four seeds and two seeds against three seeds. All soccer postseason games will be hosted on campus sites by the top two teams in each division.
 
GOLD AND GRAPHITE: The ASUN Gold Division is where North Alabama will play this season, joining Central Arkansas, Austin Peay, Bellarmine, EKU and Lipscomb. The Graphite Division includes FGCU, Jacksonville, Stetson, North Florida, West Georgia and Queens.
 
NEXT GAME: Following the Central Arkansas match, UNA will travel to Bellarmine on Thursday for a match at 6 p.m. CT.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.