FLORENCE, Ala. (October 4, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team suffered its first home loss of the season to Eastern Kentucky 3-2 on Sunday afternoon for soccer's grand opening of Bank Independent Stadium.
In the 30th season of Lion Soccer, the team opened Bank Independent Stadium this afternoon for the first soccer game with 932 people in the stands. North Alabama has played at five different venues throughout the 30 seasons ahead of the grand opening.
UNA competed at Veteran's Park in 1997, North Florence Park from 1997-2007, the Bill Jones Athletic Complex from 2008-2023, the Florence Sportsplex in 2024 and the Cox Creek Sports Complex from 2024 to 2026.
For the first match at Bank Independent Stadium, fans and the program alike were able to enjoy a brand new game experience on ESPN+ with live cameras, video board animations, a hype video, pyro, a tunnel walk out and fans all around the stadium.
North Alabama (5-2-3, 2-1-0 UAC) split the pair of goals between the halves of play. However, the Lions were more aggressive and controlling on the pitch in the second half with 13 total shots after the break. UNA attempted six corners, one from Charlotte Sobotka that got through on a pinball situation, as captain Adelyn Speight needled it into the net.
Eastern Kentucky (7-4–1, 3-0-0 UAC) controlled the pace of the game in the first half with 11 shots and three goals. The Colonels opened with a penalty kick off a handball in the box which led to the first goal of the game in the fifth minute. EKU added a goal in the 22nd and 36th minutes of the first half to take a commanding 3-1 lead into the break.
Monica Yoder scored UNA's lone first half goal for her second of the season. A Maddie Reynolds free kick hit the top cross bar and bounced back to the senior midfielder. Yoder headed the ball in past a Colonel defender and flailing goalkeeper in the 28th minute.
North Alabama went into half time with four shots and two corners. After the discussion at the break, the Lions grew aggressive as the team spent majority of time on EKU's side of the pitch. The defense allowed a measly two shots to the Colonels in the second half while the Lion offense roared with 13 shots, six on target and the goal from Speight.
Five players had two or more shots in Anna Fugarino, Parker Martin, Gracie Tyrrell, Sobotka and Yoder. Sobotka and Yoder led the team with two shots on target for the game.
Eastern Kentucky and North Alabama were picked as the respective No. 1 and 2 of the United Athletic Conference preseason rankings and will meet once more on Oct. 25 in Richmond, Ky.
Twenty-one Lions found playing time in this one as four players competed full time in Speight, Dorfman, Tyrrell and Lilly Ford. Fugarino led the reserves with 48 minutes played, as captain Reynolds was close behind with 39.
North Alabama continues the home stretch with Abilene Christian on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at Bank Independent Stadium.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
