FLORENCE, Ala. (October 3, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team could not get the ball to bounce their way as the Lions fell to Bellarmine 1-0 in their fourth home game of the season Thursday at the Florence Sportsplex. 
 
Despite the loss, the Lions recorded a season-high in shots with 17 and shots on goal with eight. 
 
Like the past two games, the first half was silent as UNA (3-8) and Bellarmine (3-7-2) both played stout defense with no score allowed. The Knights put up one shot in the first 45 minutes which led to a save by junior goalkeeper Allanah Blye. 
 
The defense held tight for UNA as they only allowed one shot in the first half and five total for the game. Blye recorded three total saves in the game and one that led up to the goal from the Knights. 
 
Bellarmine's senior forward Emma Nicholson pushed the ball past the North Alabama defense to get her shot off. Blye made a diving save before the ball bounced out to freshman forward Campbell Tippey, who cleaned it up to secure the goal of the game. 
 
Though no goals, shots came in a flurry for the Lions as they nearly had identical halves with nine in the first and eight in the second to create the season team-high. Senior forward Haley Patterson, who leads the teams in shots, started the team off with one in the fifth minute with sophomore midfielder Giada Aldini quickly behind her with another in the 11th minute. Patterson added two more first half shots with Aldini adding one more. 
 
Other Lions secured great shots at the goal such as fifth-year senior defender Malin Andersson's shot from inside the box off an Adelyn Speight corner kick 28th minute. North Alabama left the half with five corner kicks and notched three more in the second half to round out at eight. 
 
North Alabama put four more shots up after Bellarmine's goal but could not tie the game. 
 
This was only the fourth home game for the Lions through 11 games this season, not even including the two canceled at Alabama State and Alcorn State. North Alabama plays the next three ASUN conference games at home, starting this Sunday.
 
The Lions host Eastern Kentucky at the Florence Sportsplex on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. The last two meetings have resulted in a 0-0 tie between the two programs in back-to-back years.   
  
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