CARBONDALE, Ill.  (September 4, 2024) – The University of North Alabama soccer team finishes its three-game road trip at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. against Southern Illinois University on Thursday, September 5 at 6 p.m. This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs where UNA leads the series 2-0-1.
 
There will not be a live video stream of the game, but live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. 
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama at Southern Illinois
Thursday, September 5
6 p.m.
Carbondale, Ill. – Saluki Stadium
2 Arena Drive Carbondale, Ill. 62901
 
LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES
 
NOTES
 
SERIES HISTORY: The University of North Alabama soccer team has met the Southern Illinois Saluki team three times before; the earliest meeting was in 2019. The Lions hold a 2-0-1 series record splitting their wins between Carbondale and Florence. The lone tie went to overtime in Florence in 2021 which saw neither team score a goal. All of the meetings have come under Chris Walker during the Division-I tenure. 

ABOUT LAST GAME: North Alabama (2-2) nearly led the way in every category, downing Middle Tennessee State by a 2-1 final in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Lions recorded 13 shots, seven shot on goal, three assists and six corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Allanah Blye added in four saves, three in the first half, to thwart the Blue Raiders' chances. Middle Tennessee (1-3) started quickly with a goal in the 10th minute by forward Lexi Dendis to take the 1-0 lead. A drought ensued until Mollie Parham received an assist from Kellie Hovis on a long shot on goal that netted in the top right to tie in the 39th minute before halftime. Freshman Anna Fugarino had the winning goal in the 66th minute.

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS: Southern Illinois started the year off with two back-to-back ties against Jackson State and UT Martin. The Salukis won two straight outscoring SEMO and IUI 4-1 overall before falling to Kansas City on the road 2-0. This will be the Salukis second home game of the season in hosting North Alabama where they have a 1-0 record. SIU stands at third in the Missouri Valley Conference where they hold a 2-1-2 record with no conference games yet. 

HIGH ACHIEVERS: North Alabama set team highs in six categories for the 2024 season against Middle Tennessee State. The Lions recorded 13 shots, seven shot on goal, seven points, six corner kicks, three assists and two goals all in their previous game. 
 
FIRST COME, FIRST GOAL: The standout midfielder, Parham, recorded her first collegiate goal against the Blue Raiders last week. Parham tied the game with a bomb shot in the 39th minute. Like Parham, Fugarino joined in to claim her first collegiate goal to elevate the Lions to a win. 
 
FOUR MORE: Walker is on the way to eclipsing the century mark for his career in wins. Since he has been at UNA, he has accomplished a 96-84-23 overall record in his 12 years and is four wins shy of his 100th career win. He is 15 away from tying former Lion's head coach Graham Winkworth's all-time record of 111 wins. 
 
FAMILIAR FOE: Graeme Orr, the second-year SIU head coach, first began his career at the University of North Alabama in 2008 as an assistant coach during Winkworth's tenure. During this time, Orr helped lead the Lions to an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 appearance at the Division II level in 2009. He helped the Alabama Olympic Development program during his time in Florence.  
 
NEXT GAME: Following the road game against Southern Illinois, the Lions play their second home game of the season at the Florence Sportsplex in Florence, Ala. against Belmont University on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.

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