CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (October 12, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team earned its seventh win of the season Sunday afternoon, defeating Austin Peay 2-1 on the road in Clarksville, Tenn.

Sophomore midfielder Gizelle El Assal scored in her second straight game, converting a penalty kick in the 40th minute to take the lead,1-0. Junior forward Alana Owens, a former Governor, followed with a goal in the 57th minute — eventually the game winner. 

North Alabama (7-4-4, ASUN 3-2-2) had 14 shots for the afternoon slate with six on target; six of those shots came from Owens with four on goal. This is the junior's career high in the categories with the Lions. Her recent high was three shots and two on goal against SEMO.

Austin Peay (0-10-5, ASUN 0-5-2) made a late push with an 86th minute goal but could not secure an equalizer at home. 

The Lions began the year winless against Austin Peay in the all-time series. Now, they have two wins over the Governors with their first in Clarksville today. The Lions met the Governors at home on Oct. 2 where they walked away with a 2-1 victory and after today, have swept the season series.  

North Alabama took seven corner kicks — tied for the most in a game this season. UNA received its first penalty kick opportunity of the year as El Assal delivered with the opening score. 

Owens led the way with six shots, and Alice Bussey added a couple of shots of her own in her 62 minutes played. Six other Lions each recorded one shot in Lexi Vernsey, Emerson Nieroda, Molly Parham, Olivia Heinert, Anna Fugarino and El Assal. Besides El Assal and Owens, Vernsey recorded the other shot on goal. 

El Assal has played a combined 46 minutes between the Thursday night game against Lipscomb and this afternoon with Austin Peay. The sophomore has put up one shot in each contest with both finding the net; the first goal of her collegiate career came against the Bisons. 

The Lions pounced quickly in this one, getting on the attack quickly. 

Owens was everywhere inside the box putting up shots, her first coming within the first few minutes. Bussey followed her up in the eighth minute with her first of the game. 

North Alabama stayed on Austin Peay's side of the pitch for a majority of the first half. The Governors had only three shots within the first 30 minutes. Graduate keeper Madison Vukas cleaned up two of them while the defense pushed the other off high right. 

As the half neared to a close, it looked to be headed for a scoreless midway point. 

However, El Assal sliced through the box before she was up-ended by a defender that granted the penalty kick. The midfielder lined it up, calmly stepped to the ball and buried it to the left, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The attack continued into the second half as Owens continued her aggressive approach. The junior got one shot off but was saved by the keeper.

However, the Lions quickly got back with a thrown in on the left side. Defender Gracie Tyrrell got the pass in, fumbled past a tangled Lion and Gov back to Owens. 

Owens collected it, turned, and fired a shot past the defender. The defender toppled over her, but the shot could not be denied — hitting the back of the top of the net for the 2-0 lead. 

A corner kick sailed over the box and bounced out before it got corralled by Kasidy Schenk. Schenk put it just over the tip of Vukas' fingers to cut the lead. The late push would go no further. 

Four players saw full-time in Vukas, Tyrrell, Adelyn Speight and Lilly Ford. Avery Smith logged 82 minutes for the next highest on the team. A total of 22 girls saw the field as captain midfielder Molly Parham made an appearance with 33 minutes played in the win. 

UNA begins its final homestand as it hosts Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Cox Creek Sports Complex. 

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