PHOTOS

HUNTSVILLE | In an exciting Gulf South Conference opener for both teams, the University of Alabama in Huntsville women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to visiting North Alabama on Tuesday night at Charger Park. UAH slips to 1-4-0 (0-1-0 GSC) with the setback, while UNA improves to 4-0-1 (1-0-0 GSC).
 
The Chargers got on the board first as Alexcia Alexander took a pass from Sydnie Fiocca and buried it to the bottom left corner of the net, giving UAH the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute and giving Alexander her team-best fourth of the season, but North Alabama would answer just over a minute later in the 23rd when Ellis Hillman scored a beautiful goal from the top of the box to level the contest at 1-1.
 
Going in front late in the opening half were the Lions as Danielle Scanlon scored in the 36th, giving UNA a 2-1 lead, and the Lions would maintain that lead through to halftime as UNA keeper Rachel Beninati was able to keep the ball out of her net despite a strong flurry of activity that featured a pair of close-range shots off a corner in the 42nd minute.
 
The score remained at 2-1 until the 87th when Chloe Richards scored her GSC-leading seventh of the season to ice the contest.
 
Indicative of how evenly played the contest was, UNA held only a slim 15-14 margin in shots and an 8-7 edge in shots on goal as Larae Breaux recorded five saves in goal for the Charger. North Alabama took eight corners on the night compared to six for the home side.
 
UAH will return to action on Sunday as the team travels to West Alabama. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. in Livingston.