ASHEVILLE, N.C. (August 14, 2026) – The University of North Alabama soccer team travels to face UNC Asheville on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the first meeting in school history. This will now serve as the season opener following the cancellation of UNA's game at ETSU on Wednesday.
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcast and streamed via ESPN+.
MATCHUP
North Alabama at UNC Asheville
Saturday, August 15
1 p.m.
Asheville, N.C. – Greenwood Soccer Field
200 Field Drive, Asheville, NC 28804
Live Stats |
ESPN+
NOTES
SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting between the pair of programs in school history. UNC Asheville is one of five schools that the Lions have the opportunity to compete with for the first time in school history during the 2026 season.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: UNC Asheville received a seventh-place rank in the Big South preseason polls; this precedes only two other programs. Three Bulldogs were named to the Big South Preseason Players to Watch List in junior defender Campbell Stoll sophomore defender Kathleen Doane alongside junior midfielder Manuela Schreier. The Bulldogs kicked off their season at home against the Wofford Terriers on Wednesday night, where they bagged a late equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw. Preseason player to watch, Schreier, notched the Bulldogs' first goal of the game in the 47th minute. With less than four minutes to play, a scramble in the box led to a shot from defender Maleigh Dawson that deflected off forward Lilly Graumann into the net to tie the game for the Bulldogs.
ABOUT LAST SEASON: UNA was defensively dominant last season between the backline and ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year
Madison Vukas. The Lions went 8-5-6 last season and posted nine clean sheets en route to an ASUN Postseason Tournament appearance. Vukas was a catalyst as she set the Division I era saves record with 111 and the goals against average record at .624. North Alabama faced off against No. 2 Jacksonville in the ASUN postseason tournament, holding the fifth-best scoring offense in the nation to a scoreless tie through two overtime periods. UNA eventually fell in penalty kicks 4-3 in the opening round of the tournament.
RAIN, RAIN DID NOT GO AWAY: The Lions were originally slated to compete against ETSU on Wednesday, August 12 for the 2026 season opener. However, a heavy rainfall Tuesday night in the Tri-Cities left the field in unplayable conditions. This led to ETSU officials to cancel the game without a make-up opportunity. Now, North Alabama turns to Saturday to begin their season.
ALL-UAC: The Lions earned a second-place ranking in the newly-formed United Athletic Conference, while three Lions earned preseason honors. Senior captain and defender
Adelyn Speight, junior defender
Avery Smith and sophomore
Avery Stojakovich were selected to the UAC Preseason Team. All three were impactful due to their defensive efforts that led to the fewest goals in a season (12) in program history. The three selections were the most in a single preseason during the Division I era.
SPEIGHT WALL OF FLORENCE: Senior center back
Adelyn Speight was named the Preseason UAC Defensive Player of the Year ahead of the 2026 season. This comes off the heels of Speight's successful junior season as the anchor of the best backline in the ASUN. She earned Second-Team All-ASUN honors, becoming the first since
Hannah Guthrie in 2023. Speight becomes the first Lion to receive a preseason conference player of the year selection
during North Alabama's Division I history.
NEXT GAME: From one bulldog battle to another, the Lions host the Bulldogs of Union University on Wednesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. at Cox Creek Sports Complex.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
