KANSAS CITY (August 14, 2024) –
Alice Bussey, a fifth-year graduate student for the University of North Alabama soccer team, was selected to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch list this week.
The list highlights forwards across the country that make notable contributions to their teams. Bussey is one of 19 finalists for the list and one of three graduate students.
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and first or second-team All-Region players from 2023, who are scheduled to return for the 2024 season.
"This is a compliment on how well she did last season," said Lions head coach
Chris Walker. "She is an excellent student athlete, great grades and (has) an extremely high work ethic on the field."
Last season, the Hythe, England native earned first team all-conference honors and was an Academic All-ASUN selection, while also earning national awards as a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American and First Team All-South Region selection.
This strong season brought the high honor of Bussey being named Lions' team captain throughout her senior campaign. Bussey started all 22 matches for UNA with 1,684 minutes logged, scoring seven goals and three assists. She registered 60 shots and 28 shots on goal, keeping the pressure on opposing goalkeepers all season.
UNA won two ASUN Tournament games over Queens and regular season champion Lipscomb, advancing to the championship final where UNA fell to FGCU in penalty kicks. Bussey helped lead the Lions to a 11-5-6 overall and a 5-3-4 conference record. This ASUN Championship appearance was the second in six years since UNA made the transition to Division I.
The season gets underway on Thursday, August 15 against UT Martin. The match will kickoff at 7 p.m. at the Florence Sportsplex.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
