FLORENCE, Ala. -- After climbing 20 spots in the latest NCAA Division I women's soccer RPI ratings, the University of North Alabama will begin a three-match homestand Friday against Liberty University at 7 p.m. at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.

North Alabama sports an 8-5 overall record and 2-1 record in the ASUN Conference, despite playing a challenging schedule in its first season in Division I. UNA is ranked 137th in the latest RPI ratings out of 335 schools competing in Division I women's soccer. The RPI, is a quantity used to rank sports teams based upon a team's wins and losses and its strength of schedule.

On its most recent two-game ASUN road swing, the Lions battled then unbeaten Florida Gulf Coast to a scoreless tie into the 72nd minute before falling 2-0. UNA then rebounded for a conference win at Stetson, 1-0.

Liberty brings a 1-9 overall record and 0-2 ASUN mark to Florence for the first-ever meeting between the two schools in soccer. The Flames have struggled offensively, scoring just eight goals through their first 10 matches of the season.

North Alabama ranks third in the ASUN in scoring with 1.92 goals per match, led by junior Shelby Wall and senior Kylie Huey. Wall is the third leading scorer in the league with seven goals and leads the ASUN with eight assists. Huey is sixth in goals with five and also has five assists.

UNA senior Shelby Thornton is among the toughest the goalkeepers in the conference to score on, allowing just 1.10 goals per match.

After the Liberty match, UNA's home schedule includes Jacksonville on October 12 and North Florida on October 19. The Lions will then close their ASUN regular season schedule with road matches at Lipscomb and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

The Lipscomb match has been moved up a day to Thursday, October 18 at 6 p.m. in Nashville.