CONWAY, Ark. (October 25, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team earned its postseason berth thanks to Alice Bussey's penalty kick in the 29th minute, securing a 1-0 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday in Conway, Ark. 

North Alabama (8-5-5, 4-3-3 Atlantic Sun Conference) recorded its eighth shutout in its regular-season finale, sweeping the series over Central Arkansas this season. Goalkeeper Madison Vukas boasts the most shutouts in the ASUN during the regular season. 

With the win, the Lions secured the No. 3 seed in the ASUN Gold Division. UNA heads to Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Oct. 30, to play the Graphite Division's two seed — Jacksonville. 

Bussey's fifth goal of the season gives her sole possession of 11th place in school history for career goals with 22. 

Central Arkansas (6-9-2, ASUN 3-5-2) had 10 shots on the afternoon as Vukas cleaned up six on-target shots for saves. 

North Alabama entered this season winless against the Bears during its Division I era and now walk away 2-0 for the 2025 season — both by 1-0 decisions.

This is the second-most shutouts during the Division I era for UNA, trailing only the historic 2023 season that had 13. It ties the 2022 season that had eight and surpasses the 2018 season that had seven. 

UNA put up 15 shots with 10 on target — both the second most in a conference game. The captain, Bussey, put up five shots with four on target — both tied for season highs in her 60 minutes played. 

Forwards Lexi Vernsey and Charlotte Sobotka and midfielder Avery Stojakovich had two shots each with a combined five on goal. Defender Gracie Tyrrell added the final shot. 

A lot was on the line for the Lions in Saturday's trip to Conway — a berth in the ASUN postseason.

Most everything was still on the table for North Alabama, even an opportunity as the Gold Division's second seed with some help. 

Earlier in the week, Bellarmine upset Lipscomb to put more pressure on the Lions, making this a win or go-home scenario. 

Central Arkansas welcomed its third-straight conference opponent into the Bill Stephens Track & Soccer Complex with two wins under its belt and nearly a week's worth of rest.

North Alabama held a tie and a loss in their previous two games, both at home.

The Lion started quickly on the attack, a sense of urgency in the air as seven shots went up in the first half. The most notable moment came with sophomore midfielder Emerson Nieroda inside the box. She was one on one with a Bear before being up-ended giving the opportunity for the second penalty kick opportunity of the season. 

Head coach Chris Walker elected for the captain Alice Bussey to step in and take the penalty kick. Bussey used the right foot to to shoot the PK and as it connected hit the bar to bounce directly back to her.

From the video perspective and per the announcer, it seemed as if the ball hit off the wheel of the goal, leaving the game scoreless.

Instead, the referee signaled a goal as the scoreboard rang up a '1,' The ball actually hit the back right corner bar inside the goal, giving Bussey her fifth goal of this season. 

The Lions closed out the half with the lead and entered the final 45 minutes of the season with their eyes set on more games to play.

The second half would not be all sunshine and rainbows; in actuality, it would be the exact opposite. 

A few minutes after the second half opened, clouds covered Conway and a torrential rain poured over the complex.

North Alabama held a strong second half, continued putting up shots and holding tight defensively. 

Central Arkansas put more pressure on in the final 10 minutes of the game and added a few shots that were cleaned up by Vukas leading the Bears to the end of their season. 

Four players saw full-time in Vukas, Adelyn Speight, Lilly Ford and Avery Smith. Tyrrell logged 89 minutes for the next highest on the team. A total of 20 girls saw the field in tonight's win with Nieroada having 38 out of the reserves.

The Lions head to Nashville, Tenn. to compete in the ASUN tournament against the Jacksonville Dolphins on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex. 

For more information on the ASUN Championship, click here.
 
 For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.