NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 17, 2023) – The University of North Alabama soccer team fell to the Belmont Bruins on Thursday in the season opener, 1-0. Belmont scored in just the second minute of the match — and despite heavy pressure from UNA — never relinquished the lead.
 
The Lions battled, outshooting the Bruins 10-3 while owning a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks, but were unable to overcome the early deficit. Anna Sweeney scored the opening goal for the Bruins on a shot from outside of the outer box. Belmont took the 1-0 lead into the half and held off a surging Lions squad.
 
North Alabama was granted a free kick opportunity with 55 seconds remaining, but the ensuing shot from Izzi Gurney-Harper was corralled by Belmont goalkeeper Sarah Doyle to prevent any chance of an equalizer.
 
Senior Alice Bussey led UNA with four shots in 85 minutes of action.
 
Lion goalkeeper Adriana Wright got the opening day nod and stopped one shot in her 2023 debut. The Lion defense allowed just three shot attempts and two shots on goal.
 
With the loss, the Lions are now 0-1-0 on the season. Belmont improves to 1-0-0.
 
Up next, North Alabama travels north to Evansville, Ind. to take on Southern Indiana at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 21.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.