Soccer signs new recruits for 2019 season

Head Coach Chris Walker and the UNA soccer team did not take long to start reloading the lady Lions soccer team that made it to the ASUN tournament in their first year as a Division I school.

The lady Lion’s soccer team signed six players from five different states in it’s second official year of recruiting as a Division I school. The recruits come from California, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee and Indiana.

“The six are going to come in and play a role,” Walker said. “I do not think there are any superstars, but they will come in and compliment how we play. We might also get the chance for one or two more (recruits) as the season goes along.”

The team signed two defenders, two midfielders, a forward and a goalkeeper thus far in the recruiting process.

North Alabama has four positions to fill after last year’s seniors led the team to a 11-9-1 record and a second place finish in the ASUN conference tournament.

“We graduated four players, we got six (recruits) coming in so far,” Walker said. “I think all six of them are something we have been looking for, the size and athleticism it takes to compete. We have set the bar high, but I am a huge believer in playing the best 11 players.”

Walker said losing last year’s starting goalkeeper Shelby Thornton leaves room for players to compete to be next year’s starter.

“She started 90 percent of our snaps, but we have Savannah (Stewart) and Kate (Webster), who are here and Jordyn (Spreck) coming in, so it will be fun to watch who comes out on top,” Walker said.

Walker said incoming freshman Jordyn Spreck can come in and make an immediate impact on the team. He said her experience and size are good enough to fill the current hole on the roster.

Walker expects the Lions to have a great season next year, and they have a goal to make it back to the conference tournament.

“We want to make the conference tournament and see what happens from there. It was nice to play in the final, but we need to get to the tournament and take it day by day.”