HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama soccer team travels to Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala. to matchup against Jacksonville State on Sunday, August 18 at 7 p.m. This will be the first collegiate soccer match in Huntsville City FC’s stadium history.
Sunday will be the sixth meeting between the two teams dating back to 2018 where the Lions have won four of the last five contests.
Live stats will be available at RoarLions.com via StatBroadcast. The game will be broadcasted and streamed via ESPN+ with “Voice of the Lions” Benjamin Ray and former Lion soccer standout Izzi Gurney-Harper on the call.
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Jacksonville State
Sunday, August 18
7 p.m.
Huntsville, Ala. – Joe Davis Stadium
3125 Leeman Ferry Rd., Huntsville, Ala. 35801
NOTES
SERIES HISTORY: The University of North Alabama soccer team has an all-time record of 4-1 against the Gamecocks. The prior five meetings came in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 where the Lions won two apiece in both Florence and Jacksonville with a combined score of 7-1 in those four wins.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS: Jacksonville State has completed two home exhibition games and one home regular season game before traveling to Huntsville. They won one and tied one exhibition game against UAB and Samford, respectively. The Gamecocks won their opening match against West Georgia, an ASUN competitor of North Alabama’s, 1-0. Last season, Jax State finished the season 6-9-2 overall with a 1-5-2 conference record that netted a last place finish in C-USA.
A RIVALRY REFRESHED: The Lions and Gamecocks have a storied history across all sports dating back to their Gulf South Conference days of Division II. However, the rivalry kickstarted in 2018 between the two soccer programs, which has only seen one loss for the Lions program which came in 2021 by a 1-0 final in Florence, Ala.
ABOUT LAST GAME: The Lions hosted their season opener against UT Martin in Florence, Ala. on Thursday August 15 where they notched the lone goal in the 63rd minute to shutout the Skyhawks, 1-0. Giada Aldini scored the goal, which was assisted by defender and captain Montana Merkle. Allanah Blye recorded five saves to keep UTM out of the box score.
BALLIN’ WITH BUSSEY: Graduate forward Alice Bussey notched honor after honor this offseason. The Atlantic Sun Conference announced the fifth-year senior to the preseason team. Bussey earned a 2024 United Soccer Coaches selection for the NCAA Division I Players to Watch list. This all comes after a stellar 2023 season where she earned first team all-conference and was an Academic All-ASUN selection, while also earning national awards as a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American and First Team All-South Region.
SHUTOUT SAVIOR: Last season, the Lions ranked first in the ASUN with 13 shutouts thanks to former Lion and 2023 ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year Adriana Wright. Wright ranked first goals against average with .524 and third in save percentage with .861. As Wright exits stage left, Allanah Blye steps in to continue the defensive dominance with a shutout to start the season against UT Martin.
SHUTOUT SAVIOR: Giada Aldini scored the only goal in the season opener in the 63rd minute of the UTM matchup. A season ago, the first goal did not come until the second game from Olivia Heinert against Southern Indiana. Aldini was a Third Team All-ASUN selection and was named to the All-Freshman team in 2023.
NEXT GAME: Following the neutral site game against Jacksonville State, the Lions play their first true road match in Tuscaloosa, Ala. against the University of Alabama on Thursday, August 22 at 7 p.m.
