The Lions topped the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) Chargers 2-0 behind two first-half goals during a home game and collected their first Gulf South Conference (GSC) win of the season on Sept. 22. The Lions have defeated the Chargers eight times consecutively.

UNA’s Danielle Scanlon led the scoring off in the 10th minute when Jennifer Osmond knocked the ball into Scanlon’s slashing run into the box before slotting it past the UAH goalkeeper.

UNA increased the lead to 2-0 when the Lions’ Chloe Richards received the ball from Eleanor Costello and cut it back onto her left foot just inside the UAH box.  Richards’ shot found the bottom corner of the UAH goal in the 20th minute

The Sept. 22 win came after a mid-week 2-1 defeat of Lee University at home when the Lions let a 1-1 draw slip away in the final five minutes.

The Sept. 18 loss was tough, UNA Head Coach Chris Walker said.

“The girls were annoyed when they left the field that night,” Walker said. “But I was pleased with the effort and the team played at a high level against a very talented Lee University team.”

UNA won a double overtime thriller against West Alabama University in which five starters went down with injuries for the Lions on Sept. 10.

“Some of those injuries ended up being more serious than others, but it was tough to see five starters go down in that game,” Walker said.  “Some of the injured players were out for a game or two or a week or two, but Emily Black might be more serious. We are finding out more every day about her injury and how it will be.”

At seven games into the season, Walker said he has seen what the team is and can be.

“There have been some ups and downs so far, but we have played some good soccer,” Walker said.  “We have a lot of new players and we have been moving players in and out so this team is basically a new team this season. I like what I’ve seen so far and we will really be able to see what we are capable of as our players come back and get healthy from the injuries.”

The Lions are 3-4 as of press time in Walker’s first year at the helm.

Jennifer Osmond leads the team with five points including two goals.

Goalie Rachel Benenati has started every game this season and has two shutouts in seven games.

The Lions host two upcoming conference fixtures.  UNA squares off against Christian Brothers University on Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. Delta State University visits UNA on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.