UNA’s soccer season opens today as the Lions host the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers.
ETSU is one of several new faces on the Lions’ schedule for this season. It joins Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech as one of three new Tennessee teams on the schedule. This year’s schedule also includes Alabama State, Southeast Missouri State and in-state opponent Troy University.
The Lions are coming into this season out of a 3-14 record last year, with two of those wins being non-conference games against UT Martin and Middle Tennessee State. The team dealt with several major setbacks as all three team captains were sidelined with injuries, leading to several starts for all six freshmen last year.UNA would see 14 different lineups throughout its 17-game season.
After the previous season’s injuries, Head Soccer Coach Chris Walker has ensured depth on his roster. The team signed 11 new freshmen players and added seven new transfers from other schools.
“We’re ready to go,” Walker said at UNA’s Fall 2025 Media Day at Lost Pizza Co. Shoals.
This season marks the beginning of Walker’s 13th year leading the Lions. He is the longest tenured soccer coach in program history.
Alice Bussey, one of the injured captains from last season, will return to the field for this season. After missing the entirety of last season, she has been named a captain for the third straight year
UNA Athletics calls her the lifeblood of the Lions soccer team.
The Lions’ opponent comes to Florence out of a 4-8-4 overall record last year, with three of those wins coming from conference games. ETSU was picked seventh in the Southern Conference after losing by one goal to Furman in the quarterfinals of the SoCon tournament.
