FLORENCE, Ala.  (August 13, 2025) – The University of North Alabama soccer team brings ETSU to Florence, Ala. for the first time in program history. The Lions will host the Buccaneers at the Cox Creek Sports Complex on Thursday, August 14 at 7 p.m.
 
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcasted and streamed via ESPN+ with 'Voice of the Lions' Benjamin Ray and his partner, Amy Butler Bailey.
 
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. ETSU
Thursday, August 14
7 p.m.
Florence, Ala. – Cox Creek Sports Complex
2500 Chisholm Rd., Florence, AL  35630
 
LIVE STATS | ESPN+
 
NOTES
 
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the first meeting between the two programs. The University of North Alabama began the soccer program in 1997.

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS: ETSU finished last season with a 4-8-4 overall record with three wins coming in conference. The Bucs won one game out of conference with it being a 1-0 shutout of ASUN foe Eastern Kentucky. However, they had a tall task with Duke and Tennessee on the schedule. Ahead of the 2025 season, ETSU was picked seventh in the SoCon after dropping by a goal against Furman in the SoCon Quarterfinal.

ABOUT LAST SEASON: The Lions finished last season with a 3-14 overall record with two out of conference wins over UT Martin and Middle Tennessee State. UNA was dealt some heavy blows as all three captains were sidelined last season with injuries. All six freshmen had to make starts with significant playing time to step in as others went down. Fourteen different lineups were used during the 17-game span as the season concluded. For two of the wins, the Lions blanked their opponents and outscored them 6-1 in all three wins.
 
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: After the injury bug hit the team last year, head coach Chris Walker made sure to have depth ahead of the 2025 season. The Lions signed 11 freshmen and added seven transfers via the portal. Transfers such as forwards Alana Owens from Austin Peay and Charlotte Sobotka from UNCG joined the program, while adding defenders Lilly Ford from Westminster University, Avery Smith from SIU, Kayleigh Hilton from UNCW and Maggie Brzica from Samford. The freshmen come from seven different states such as Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and Nebraska. 
 
BUSSEY BLAST IS BACK: The lifeblood of the Lion soccer team, Alice Bussey, is taking the field for the 2025 season. The three-time captain missed the entirety of the 2024 season due to injury. In her last full healthy season in 2023, she earned an All-ASUN First Team selection and Academic All-ASUN Honors. The United Soccer Coaches honored her with an All-American Second Team and was named to the All-South Region First Team. Ahead of the 2024 season, Bussey was honored with a Preseason All-ASUN Team nomination, a USC Players to Watch List for Forwards and named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. She was named captain for the third straight season heading into 2025 and looks forward to her sixth season at North Alabama. 
 
CHRIS' CENTURY MARK: Walker and company have their eyes set on an ASUN Finals appearance for the third time under his tenure. As the coaching staff's mind is set on that goal, the head ball coach has another goal that can be met this season: his 100th win. Walker has 97 wins under his belt during his time at the helm of the Lions. He can cross the century mark as early as the UT Martin game on August 21 in Martin, Tenn. North Alabama opened the season last year as they blanked the Skyhawks for the 1-0 victory, thanks to midfielder Giada Aldini's score. The first opportunity to do this on home turf would be against Troy on August 28 in front of the UNA faithful.
 
NEXT GAME: Following the season opener at home against ETSU, the Lions get on the road to head to a neutral site matchup against Jacksonville State in Huntsville, Ala. at Joe Davis Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m.

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