JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 15, 2023) – Graduate Izzi Gurney-Harper scored a goal on a corner kick to give the University of North Alabama women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville on Sunday, Oct. 15 in Jacksonville, Fla. With the win, the UNA soccer team has clinched a spot in the ASUN postseason tournament. 

North Alabama improves to 9-5-4 (5-3-2 ASUN) on the season, while the Dolphins fall to 2-11-4 (0-8-2 ASUN). The five ASUN wins mark the most in school history for UNA, topping the previous mark of three set in 2018. The win also serves as UNA's 250th win in program history. UNA entered the season with 241 program victories across the previous 26 seasons. 

With 17 points, the Lions are guaranteed to finish in fourth place in the ASUN conference standings. In the ASUN preseason coaches poll, the Lions were predicted to finish in 12th place out of 12 teams. The ASUN tournament is played at host sites of the top four seeds. North Alabama will host the 5/8 seed match on Thursday, Oct. 26 before taking on the winner in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Oct. 29 at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.

In the 17th minute of today's match, Gurney-Harper struck an Alice Bussey corner kick to open up the scoring. Gurney-Harper's first goal of the season gave North Alabama their third consecutive victory.

IZZIIIIIIIIIIII ‼️‼️

Izzi Gurney-Harper puts us up early on an Alice Bussey corner kick

'17
UNA: 1
JAX: 0 pic.twitter.com/qPGX6vIg1s
— North Alabama Soccer (@UNASoccer) October 15, 2023
 

UNA goalkeeper Adriana Wright shined in her 10th shutout of the season, stopping five shots on the day. In one of her five saves, Wright sprawled out to stop a shot from point blank range off a Jacksonville corner kick in the 47th minute to keep the lead. Just 12 minutes later, Wright stuffed another Dolphin opportunity before UNA defender Montana Merkle was able to clear the ball.

OH MY GOODNESS ADRIANA WRIGHT

The UNA keeper stops a shot from point blank range to keep the Lion lead in tact

'50
UNA: 1
JAX: 0#RoarLions 🦁 pic.twitter.com/XmMlTO7yNh
— North Alabama Soccer (@UNASoccer) October 15, 2023
 

Wright holds the UNA individual single season record for most shutouts in a season with 10. The Lions are just one shutout shy of tying the team single season record for shutouts, previously set at 11 during the 2014 season. 

The two clubs combined for 24 shots and 13 shots on target. UNA outshot Jacksonville 15-9, including 8-5 in shots on goal. The pair of goalkeepers combined for 12 saves in the match. North Alabama out earned Jacksonville 8-1 on corner kicks, leaving the Lions with a 115-32 advantage over opponents so far this season. 

The Lions will take on fellow ASUN tournament contender Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark. next Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. This will serve as UNA's regular season finale.

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