CONWAY, Ark. (November 8, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's soccer team advanced past Central Arkansas on penalty kicks (4-1) to win the United Athletic Conference Championship Quarterfinal Round on Sunday in Conway, Ark.
North Alabama now is slated to play Abilene Christian on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Conway. If the Lions can beat the Wildcats, UNA will play in the UAC Finals on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Meg Welsh scored the equalizing goal in the 85th minute to tie the game at 1-1 and send the game into extra time. Gizelle El Assal, Maddie Reynolds, Charlotte Sobotka and Mya Barr all made their penalty kick to advance the Lions to the semifinal round.
North Alabama (7-4-7, 4-3-3 UAC) avenge the loss in the opening round of the ASUN championship tournament in 2025, when the Lions exited on PKs to the No. 5 scoring offense in the nation, Jacksonville.
Central Arkansas (7-4-7, 4-1-1 UAC) had its lone goal scored in the 59th minute by Ashlyn May. The Bears held the Lions to three shots on goal but could not keep them scoreless.
North Alabama was in a similar circumstance a season ago in Nashville, Tenn. for the Atlantic Sun Championship Tournament. The Lions held Jacksonville scoreless through 110 minutes of action, but fell 4-3 on PKs which allowed the Dolphins to advance.
This season, the two teams traded goals, before both holding each other scoreless through the 20 minute extra time period. The hero, reserve keeper Cecilia Smith, clamped UCA's Sakiko Manabe and Megan Moudy to help the Lions advance to face No. 1 Abilene Christian on Wednesday.
Smith, who entered the game for the first time for penalty kicks, saved a PK against Central Arkansas in Conway earlier this year, the first of this season.
The Lions had 11 shots for the day with three on goal. Welsh led the team with six shots and two on frame, Alana Owens had a shot with it being the lone one on goal. El Assal, Reynolds, Anna Fugarino and Cara Pitzer each logged a shot, as well.
Starting goalkeeper Emily Dorfman record six saves with a couple great punch outs. She held the Bears scoreless through the two overtime periods to send the game to penalties.
This is the first time that the Lions have advanced past the opening round since the 2023 season when UNA made the ASUN Conference Championship against FGCU. This is the fifth time through the Division I era that North Alabama has made the postseason tournament and third advancing past the first round.
Twenty Lions found playing time on Sunday afternoon with Dorfman, Adelyn Speight, Gracie Tyrrell and Lilly Ford playing full-time at 110 minutes. Anna Fugarino led the reserves with 64 minutes with Sobotka playing 37 for the next highest.
North Alabama advances to play Abilene Christian on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in Conway, Ark. at the Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex at 4 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
