FLORENCE, Ala. (October 2, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team hosts its fourth home game of the season in Florence, Ala. on Thursday, Oct. 3 against Bellarmine at 7 p.m. at the Florence Sportsplex. This is the first of four straight home matches for the Lions that will span 10 days and finish against North Florida. 
 
Fans can follow along through live stats which will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. Fans can also watch the broadcast on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Amy Butler Bailey on the call.
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Bellarmine
Thursday, October 3
7 p.m.
Florence, Ala. – Florence Sportsplex
1 Sportsplex Drive Florence, AL 35633
 
LIVE STATS |ESPN+| GAME NOTES
 
NOTES
 
HURRICANE HELENE HELP: The University of North Alabama Department of Athletics has put together a supply drive for the week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 5 to help raise support for victims of Hurricane Helene in both East Tennessee and the Carolinas. UNA Athletics will be partnering with Tree Pros and local fire departments to provide relief through a supply drive setup at five home sporting events this week. There will be a drop-off station at the entrance of the home soccer match against Bellarmine, as well as Friday's volleyball match against EKU, Saturday's football game against Utah Tech and Sunday's soccer and volleyball doubleheader at 1 p.m.
 
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the sixth all-time meeting between the two teams. The Lions are 1-1-3 in this matchup with the win coming last season. During the Spring 2021 season, shortened due to COVID-19, UNA and Bellarmine played two games within a week, resulting in one loss and one tie for the Lions. 
 
TALK TO ME GOOSE: The Lions last played the Knights in Florence on Oct. 8, 2023, winning 2-1 in dramatic fashion. UNA dominated in this game with 14 shots and seven of those on goal en route to a 2-1 win. Corner kicks came in a flurry as well with 10 for North Alabama. Two Lions scored second half goals from Alice Bussey and Goose Andrews. Bussey scored in the 49th minute, then Bellarmine tied four minutes later. The winning goal came in dramatic fashion from Goose Andrews with under two minutes to go. Montana Merkle and Molly Parham, both captains this season, had assists in that game, as well as graduated senior Hannah Guthrie.
 
ABOUT LAST GAME: The University of North Alabama soccer team could not get its offense started in a 3-0 loss to Lipscomb University on Sunday in Nashville. Junior goalkeeper Allanah Blye recorded 11 saves in the game, which shatters her previous season-high of five. The first 45 minutes were quiet for UNA and Lipscomb as the two sides ended the first half scoreless. Lipscomb put up 11 shots in the first half with seven corner kicks, but the North Alabama defense held strong. Blye had her second straight game of four first half saves which thwarted the Bison offense in the first half. Lipscomb performed all second half, sneaking one by to take the lead. A claimed handball turned into a penalty kick led to the second goal, while the final came in the 86th minute.  
 
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS: The Knights come into Florence with a 2-7-2 record and a 1-2-1 record in the conference, which is tied for eighth in the ASUN along with Jacksonville. They have played four ASUN games so far with their lone win coming at home against Stetson, 2-1. Three of their four conference games have been at home. The Knights played Lipscomb on the road and finished with a 0-0 tie. Emma Nicholson leads four categories which are, points, shots, goals and shots on goal for Bellarmine. BU only has two shutouts on the year, one against Asbury University 8-0 and the tie with Lipscomb. 
 
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER: Senior forward Haley Patterson is quickly rising up the rankings to lead the offensive unit for the Lions. She is fourth on the team in goals (1), assists (1) and points (3). The biggest mark is that she leads the team in shots with 14, four more than any other player for North Alabama. She also leads the team with shots on goal with eight, three more than any other UNA player. 
 
THREE AWAY: Walker is on the way to eclipsing the century mark for his career in wins. Since he has been at UNA, he has accomplished a 97-89-23 overall record in his 12 years and is three wins shy of his 100th career win. He is 14 away from tying former Lion head coach Graham Winkworth's all-time record of 111 wins. 
 
NEXT GAME: The Lions are now in a four-game home stand in the ASUN with Eastern Kentucky coming to the Florence Sportsplex on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.

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