FLORENCE, Ala. (September 21, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team earned its first conference win Sunday afternoon over Central Arkansas, 1-0.  

North Alabama (5-2-2) overcame a weather delay that pushed kickoff back to 2:10 p.m. 

However, junior forward Charlotte Sobotka scored her first goal of the season just 11 minutes into the match, giving the Lions an early lead. 

Junior midfielder Adelyn Speight delivered a free kick from midfield, setting up Sobotka to head in the goal — her second career goal and first with North Alabama. 

Central Arkansas (3-5) outshot the Lions as they finished with 11 on the afternoon. Defenders Avery Smith, Lilly Ford, Gracie Tyrrell and Speight blocked four shots, while goalkeeper Madison Vukas recorded seven saves to earn her sixth shutout of the season. 

North Alabama posted its best shooting accuracy of the season, with six of eight shots on goal (.750). Seven Lions created the eight shots as forward Lexi Vernsey led the afternoon with two and one on target. The team added two corners for the contest.  

Originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, a lightning delay postponed kickoff until 2:10 p.m. 

The delay made an appearance before it even hit the 30-minute mark on the pregame clock which led both teams back to their respective areas to wait it out.  

The Lions did not let it linger, however. As the skies cleared and the music was turned back up, the pregame warmup started to tick away once again.  

North Alabama attacked early. Both corner kicks came in the ninth minute that pulled the Bears' keeper away from the goal, but no shot became available for UNA. 

In the 10th minute, Ford and Alice Bussey fired consecutive shots that rattled the Central Arkansas defense before the ball was cleared. 

About 20 seconds later, a Bear and Vernsey got locked up which awarded North Alabama a free kick. As is most of the time, the captain Speight took the free kick. Next came the first career goal at North Alabama for Sobotka and her second overall in her career.  

Seven of the Lions eight shots came in the first half. Central Arkansas applied more pressure with the ball, however the backline stood strong and finalized the game at 1-0.  

Dating back to 2023, this is the third-straight season that the Lions opened conference play with a shutout win over their opponent.  

In 2023, the Lions defeated then ASUN member Kennesaw State 2-0. In 2024, UNA welcomed new ASUN member West Georgia to the conference as the Lions took home a 3-0 victory at the Florence Sportsplex.  

After today's win, the Lions are atop the ASUN Gold Division standings. 

Next up, North Alabama takes on a road trip to Louisville, Ky. to play Bellarmine at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.