JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 7, 2024) – The Atlantic Sun Conference announced preseason awards and rankings for women's soccer Wednesday, as the University of North Alabama placed fifth year senior Alice Bussey on the preseason team.
 
Bussey was one of 11 players named to the team and one of four forwards. Last season, the Hythe, England native earned first team all-conference 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.
 
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.
 
The ASUN also revealed preseason rankings, as the head coaches voted UNA fourth of 12 teams. The Lions finished fourth in the standings last season at 11-5-6 overall and 5-3-3 in league play. 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.
 
FGCU is picked as the preseason favorite with nine of 12 first place votes, while Lipscomb picked up the other three votes to rank second in the poll. Not far behind in third and fourth are Central Arkansas and North Alabama, respectively. All four received 100 or more points.
 
EKU was picked fifth with 93 points, followed by North Florida, Austin Peay, Bellarmine, Queens, Stetson, Jacksonville and new ASUN member West Georgia.
 
To view the preseason awards, click here.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.