LOUISVILLE, Ky. (September 25, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team dropped an Atlantic Sun Conference game for the first time this season on Thursday in Louisville, falling 1-0 to Bellarmine.

Bellarmine (8-1-2, 2-1) secured the win with a goal in the 88th minute. The Knights took 10 shots with five on target.

North Alabama (5-3-2, 1-1) allowed just its fourth goal of the season — and only its third in open play. The Lions' defense pushed five Bellarmine shots off target, while graduate goalkeeper Madison Vukas made several diving saves on other scoring opportunities.

UNA recorded seven shots with four on goal and created one corner kick. At halftime, the teams were deadlocked with four shots, two shots on goal and one corner kick each.

Forwards Meg Welsh and Alana Owens led the team with two shots for the contest; both of Owens were on goal. Adelyn Speight, Lexi Vernsey and Emerson Nieroda claimed the remaining three. 

Tonight marked the first goal the Lions have allowed since their Sept. 7 matchup against Chattanooga. North Alabama had posted back-to-back shutout wins in the matches leading up to Thursday's game.

The win was the first for either team in the series when playing in Louisville. The previous two meetings in the city ended in 0-0 draws.

Five players — Vukas, Speight, Gracie Tyrrell, Lilly Ford and Avery Smith — played the full 90 minutes. Molly Parham logged 86 minutes, the second-most on the team, while Avery Stojakovich added 83. A total of 18 Lions saw the field in Thursday's contest.

UNA will return to action Sunday, Sept. 28, as they continue to Richmond, Ky. for their third ASUN match of the season against Eastern Kentucky at 12 p.m. at the EKU Soccer Field.
 
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