JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 7, 2025) – The Atlantic Sun Conference revealed their preseason rankings earlier today, as the head coaches voted North Alabama ninth of 12 teams.
 
The Lions finished 11th in the standings last season at 3-14 overall and 1-10 in league play, as they were mangled by injuries. Star players and captains such as Alice Bussey and Montana Merkle were a couple to mention with injuries that impacted their season. Incoming transfers such as Parker Martin and Emma Armstrong dealt with them too.
 
Head Coach Chris Walker played 14 different lineups throughout the 17 games in 2024. He leaned on his freshman class as the six players combined for 80 games played with 23 starts.
 
The Lions boast 35 players on the roster this season with 18 newcomers; a mixture of 11 freshman and seven transfers.
 
Most notably, UNA returns a 2023 First Team All-ASUN and Academic All-ASUN player in Alice Bussey, who returns to the field after not competing during the 2024 season. She was named to the 2024 Preseason All-ASUN Team, USC Players to Watch List for forwards and the Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List.
 
Walker brings in transfer forwards Alana Owens from ASUN foe Austin Peay and Charlotte Sobotka from UNCG, goalkeeper Madison Vukas from Bowling Green, alongside four defenders in Kayleigh Hilton, Maggie Brzica, Avery Smith, and Lilly Ford.
 
Before the 2024 season, the Lions were picked fourth in the preseason polls after a tremendous 2023 season. During the 2023 season, the Lions made a run to the ASUN Championship Final, upsetting top-seeded Lipscomb in the semifinal before falling to FGCU in penalty kicks.
 
In 2018, North Alabama was picked seventh. In 2023 — 12th.
 
In both 2018 and 2023, the Lions made the trek all the way to the ASUN championship final to put a stamp on both of those seasons.
 
North Alabama starts their trek back to the mountain top on Thursday, Aug. 14 against ETSU at the Cox Creek Sports Complex at 7 p.m.

Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl.        Team   (1st Place Votes)        Points
1.         Lipscomb         (8)                   138
2.         FGCU               (4)                   134
3.         EKU                                         112
4.         Central Arkansas                     108
5.         North Florida                          98
6.         Austin Peay                             73
7.         Jacksonville                             61
8.         Stetson                                    57
9.         North Alabama                       49
10.       Bellarmine                              47
11.       Queens                                    39
12.       West Georgia                         20
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.