JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 25, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team earned its first Atlantic Sun weekly award of the 2025 season in Adelyn Speight as she was selected the Defender of the Week. This is the first ASUN Defender of the Week award since former Lion Briana Eads won on Sept. 5, 2023.
 
Speight has been a terrific leader for the Lion defense this season. She helped post the second consecutive shutout for UNA playing the full 90 minutes. This is the first back-to-back shutout performance since 2023 for North Alabama.
 
The junior captain has quickly become an anchor for the team this season and has shown in the last two games. Between the two shutouts, the UNA opponents have taken 22 shots with only nine getting through for shots on goal.
 
That is thanks in large part to Speight's play. She made an impressive block inside the 18 that denied a goal scoring opportunity during the Jacksonville State game. This previous week against the Skyhawks, she made several tackles and led the defense in only allowing four shots on goal.
 
With these tackles and disrupting passing lanes, Speight was able to push the ball back down the pitch for the Lions to go on the attack. She played the full 90 minutes --- her third consecutive time – and recorded a season high of shots and shots on goal for the young season with one a piece.

The defense has not allowed a goal in free play so far, this season – the lone one came off of a set piece in the season opener. Since then, the North Alabama defense has 250:58 consecutive shutout minutes.
 
Speight served as a part of the Lion backline that allowed just one goal through three games. The least amount for any ASUN team that has played three or more games.

This is the first career ASUN weekly honor for Speight and is crowned the first for the program in nearly two years to the date.
 
"Really pleased with how Addie has started this season," said head coach Chris Walker. "She has led by example, putting in the effort on both sides of the ball and raising the level of everyone around her. We are still early on in the season, but it is a great way for her to start the 2025 campaign."

North Alabama returns to action on Thursday, August 28 at the Cox Creek Sports Complex to take on Troy at 7 p.m.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.