FLORENCE, Ala. -- After more than 85 years of continuous athletic competition, the University will host its first athletic event as an NCAA Division I institution Friday when the UNA women's soccer team plays Alabama State at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.

North Alabama officially began its first year as a Division I institution on July 1 and the soccer team will be the first team to take the field.

The North Alabama women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II post-season tournament seven times in the last nine years but the Lions will now be tested on a new level by an Alabama State team that has won back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships.

UNA returns 13 lettermen and seven starters from last season including starting goalkeeper Shelby Thornton and all-conference performers in forwards Kylie Huey and Shelby Wall and defender Haley Yarber.

North Alabama was 13-4-2 a year ago and head coach Chris Walker has a strong 58-27-7 overall record through his first five seasons at UNA.

The Lions will play there first three matches of the season at home against SWAC teams. UNA hosts Alabama A&M at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and Jackson State at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 24.

A member of the ASUN Conference, UNA begins league play on Sunday, September 23 at home against Kennesaw State. The Lions play eight ASUN matches prior to the conference tournament, which begins on October 27.