FLORENCE, Ala. (October 29, 2023) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team is set to host the ASUN Championship Quarterfinal on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. The No. 4 Lions will take on No. 8 Queens, who advanced over No. 5 EKU on penalty kicks on Thursday. 
 
MATCHUPS
 
North Alabama vs Queens
Sunday, October 29
1 p.m.
Florence, Alabama


Live Stats | Watch | Game Notes
 
NOTES
 
QUC Series History: The two schools have met twice prior to Sunday's match in Florence. Queens defeated UNA 1-0 in Charlotte last season as the two squared off in a scoreless draw earlier this year. The two schools have met sparingly across all sports with each meeting taking place following Queens' move to NCAA Division I before the 2022-23 academic year.


Scouting the Royals: Queens advanced to the ASUN Quarterfinal after defeating EKU 4-2 on penalty kicks following 110 minutes of scoreless play. The Royals goalkeeper, Erica Turner, stopped 13 shots and two of four penalty kicks to prevent the Colonels from moving on.
 
Central Arkansas Recap: Behind Adriana Wright's record-setting 11th shutout of the year, the UNA wrapped up the regular season with a scoreless draw at second place Central Arkansas. The Lions' fourth 0-0 draw of the season helped UNA finish the regular season 9-5-5 overall and 5-3-3 in the ASUN.


Wright Tabbed ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year: Adriana Wright took home the award given to the best goalkeeper in the Atlantic Sun Conference for 2023. Wright ranked first in the ASUN in shutouts (11) and goals against average (0.579) and ranked third in the conference in save percentage (0.847) at the end of the regular season. This is the first ASUN superlative award in UNA women's soccer program history.


Five Lions Selected ASUN All-Conference: After only earning six ASUN All-Conference selections in the previous five seasons combined, the UNA soccer team earned five all-conference selections in 2023 alone. Alice Bussey and Adriana Wright were selected to the ASUN all-conference first team, Hannah Guthrie was named second team All-ASUN while Briana Eads and Giada Aldini earned third team All-ASUN honors.
 
Three Lions Named Academic All-ASUN: Montana Merkle, Alice Bussey and Hannah Guthrie were tabbed with ASUN Academic All-Conference honors. Merkle has maintained a 4.0 GPA while working towards her bachelor's degree in computer science. Bussey has a 3.67 GPA while pursuing her bachelor's degree in biology. Guthrie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in interior architecture and design with a 4.0 GPA in spring 2023 and still holds a perfect 4.0 GPA while working towards her master's degree in business and is slated to graduate in spring 2024.
 
Aldini Lands All-Freshman Honors: Giada Aldini was selected to the ASUN All-Freshman team following her 2023 campaign. Aldini finished the regular season tied for third in the conference with four assists and ranked second on the team in shots with 34. The Reggio Emilia, Italy native wrapped up her first season with the North Alabama program having started in all 19 matches for a UNA squad that placed fourth in the ASUN. Aldini also earned third team All-ASUN honors and was one of two freshmen selected to an all-conference team.


North Alabama Brings Home 10 ASUN Honors: The University of North Alabama women's soccer team took home 10 total ASUN honors in the 2023 postseason. The Lions earned five All-ASUN selections, three academic all-conference honors, one all-freshman team selection and the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year award. Six North Alabama individuals combined to take home the 10 awards, which ranks second in the conference behind regular season champion Lipscomb (16).
 
ASUN Tournament Brings Program Firsts: For the first time in program history, the UNA women's soccer team will host an ASUN Championship tournament match. The Lions have appeared in four tournament matches since the jump to Division I in 2018 and hold a 2-2 record, which includes two victories in the 2018 tournament.
 
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