The UNA soccer team has been practicing for a couple of weeks and is preparing for their first game against Montevallo University    —an exhibition game on Aug. 31 in Montevallo.

The Lions finished the 2012 season 13-6-1, finishing second in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in both the regular season and conference tournament. The team made it to the NCAA Division II Regionals after the GSC tournament.

Former Lee University assistant Chris Walker took over the UNA women’s soccer team in January AFTER Graham Winkworth left UNA to coach for the University of South Alabama.

The team has seven returning starters, including senior Jennifer Osmond. Osmond started all 20 games last season and scored 30 points on 58 shots with eight assists and 11 goals. 

“I got here in January and there were 13 returning players,” Walker said. 

He said it was tough to come in and recruit the nine players needed to fill the roster. 

“I am pleased with who we have, and we have a great core group,” he said. “The only downside was coming in in January and having to recruit to get to 22 players.”

Walker said he feels the team is ready for the next season.

“We’ve put together, in the shortest amount of time we got, a competitive team for this year,” he said.

Despite the fact the Lions have lost nine players from last season, Walker said he does not expect his team to struggle too much with growing pains. However, the team still needs players to take on new roles.

“We aren’t rebuilding, but we got some players that need to step up into leadership positions,” he said

The Lions will look to freshman forward Stacey Webber, who was a member of the Whales’ National team, to be one of those players who steps up, Walker said.

The Lions’ ability to come together, and play together, is important for their success, Walker said. He said he believes the team has the talent to compete.

“I think we’ve got some talent returning and we have some good talent coming in,” he said.