CONWAY, Ark. (October 24, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team heads to Conway, Ark., on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. for the final game of the regular season against Central Arkansas.
 
A win or tie will guarantee a berth into the ASUN Championship tournament next week. The Lions can finish anywhere between second and fourth in the Gold Division with a result. A loss would end the season.
 
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcast and streamed on ESPN+.
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Saturday, Oct. 25
1 p.m.
Conway, Ark. – Bill Stephens Track & Soccer Complex
2210 Dave Ward Dr., Conway, Ark. 72034
 
LIVE STATS | ESPN+
 
 
NOTES
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 14th all-time meeting between the two programs dating back to 1998. The Lions are 5-7-1 against Central Arkansas. From 1998-2001, UNA shut out the Bears in four consecutive games by a combined score of 12-0. The teams played annually until 2005, when UCA left the Gulf South Conference. The rivalry reignited in 2021 when the Bears joined the Atlantic Sun Conference. Since then, the Lions earned their first win over UCA earlier this season with a 1-0 win on Sept. 21. 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's header — her second career goal and first with North Alabama.

SCOUTING THE BEARS: When these two teams last met, the Bears came to Florence with a 3-4 record under new head coach Derek Nichols. Since that loss, UCA holds a 3-3-2 record—all within conference play. They were swept by Lipscomb and tied twice with Austin Peay but split the series with both Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine. This will be the Bears' third straight home game to close out the season. Central Arkansas recently earned wins over Bellarmine (1-0) and Eastern Kentucky (3-2) heading into this matchup. The Bears have lost only one home game in conference play.
 
ABOUT LAST GAME: The University of North Alabama women's soccer team dropped the final home game of the regular season against Bellarmine this past Sunday afternoon, 1-0. Bellarmine secured the win with a goal in the 65th minute from Nora Dimmitt. North Alabama had 17 shots with 12 on target. The Lions added seven corners, which ties for the most in a game this season. The defense allowed only three shots per half for Bellarmine, as five were on goal. Goalkeeper Madison Vukas added four saves for the game – reaching 90 for the season. Forwards Lexi Vernsey had five shots with three on goal to lead the team, while captain Alice Bussey was a perfect 1.000 with her three shots on goal.
 
CONFERENCE OPENER STATEMENTS: The Lions opened their ASUN campaign against Central Arkansas. Thanks to Sobotka, North Alabama took a 1-0 win over the Bears, earning its sixth shutout of the season. Dating back to 2023, the Lions have shut out their opening conference opponent each year. In 2023, UNA defeated then-ASUN member Kennesaw State 2-0. In 2024, UNA welcomed new ASUN member West Georgia and took a 3-0 victory at the Florence Sportsplex.
 
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 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: The ASUN Women's Soccer Championship begins with the quarterfinal round next Thursday, Oct. 30, followed by the semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 2 and the final on Sunday, Nov. 9. Postseason information, including brackets and host sites, will be announced Saturday after all regular season games have concluded.

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