FLORENCE, Ala. (October 13, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team dropped its final game of a four-game home stretch Sunday afternoon, as the Lions fell to North Florida by a 5-0 final in Florence.
 
For reasons beyond the scoreboard, Sunday's match had historical implications as the first-ever sporting event to be hosted at the newly-built Cox Creek Sports Complex. The facility opened August 11 and is used by the UNA football, soccer and Marching Pride programs during the construction of Bank Independent Stadium. The Lions previously played their home matches at the Florence Sportsplex this season.
 
The Lions and sophomore goalkeeper Thordis Melsted tied their team-high for saves in their Sunday game against North Florida with nine. The six-save first half is the most in one half this season for North Alabama. UNA had five saves in a half against both Lipscomb and Bellarmine earlier this year. 
 
UNF (6-3-7) got out quickly on UNA (3-11-0) as the Ospreys scored their first goal in the 17th minute. North Florida added two more goals before the 32nd and 35th minutes to jump to a 3-0 halftime lead. UNF added two 58th minutes goals in period two to finish off the day.  
 
Senior forward Haley Patterson, the team's season-high shot leader, added two more to her total this season. The trio of senior forward Hope Lensing, senior midfielder Kellie Hovis and sophomore midfielder Adelyn Speight were the three shots on goal on the afternoon.
 
Eighteen totals players saw the field for Chris Walker today, with only Melsted and Speight playing the full 90 minutes. Melsted and freshman forward Abigail Witten made their first career starts.
 
Next up, the Lions head to Florida to play Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:00 p.m. North Alabama has three games remaining in the season, with their final home game on Oct. 26.    
  
 For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.