alcons capture school’s first state girls’ soccer championship

St. John Paul II wins Class 4A Girls’
Title behind Cazzavillan’s two Goals 

 

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA
    HUNTSVILLE – The third time proved to be the charm for St. John Paul II Catholic High School.
    The Falcons (19-2-1) won the Class 4A girls’ soccer title on Friday, beating St. Luke’s Episcopal of Mobile at Huntsville’s Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex / John Hunt Park in the program’s fourth trip to the state tournament and third berth in the championship round.
    “We finally got one,” SPJII coach Samuel Bennett said. “I don’t know how to act.”
    SPJII senior Ella Cazzavillan scored twice and assisted on Lauren Altman’s goal in the championship match earning Class 4A girls’ State Championship MVP. She recorded three goals in the 9-0 semifinal y over Cherokee County.
     It was a fitting end to Cazzavillan’s career, who set the school record for goals and assists – for boys and girls – earlier this season. She said winning the team championship – as SPJII won its four playoff games by a combined score of 26-3 – was more important than any individual accolade.
    “It was a full circle moment,” said Cazzavillan, who mentioned how she and her senior teammates lost in the state title game as eighth graders. “It means so much to finally make it back and win it. I’m so happy I can help my team win this. … There’s no way to put into words and describe making school history.”

    Bennett said his team’s unity led to the championship, using Cazzavillan’s humble attitude as an example.
   “She’s the ultimate team player,” Bennett said of Cazzavillan. “She didn’t even know earlier this season how many goals she had. I told her she had No. 99, and I told her, ‘The next one you score is a big one,’ and she had no idea.”
     St. Luke’s (16-7), coached by Austin Beatty, fell one win shy of capturing the school’s first AHSAA girls state title. For St. Luke’s,Presley Jackson scored on an assist from Lexie Romano.
     St. Luke’s goalkeeper Ashlynn Turner made 15 saves, as the Falcons outshot the Wildcats 32-11. SPJII goalkeeper Catharine Fulda finished with five saves.

AHSAA 2025 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOHN HUNT SOCCER PARK/LORETTA P. SPENCER COMPLEX 
FRIDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-1) 3, Madison Academy (12-5-1) 2 (2 OT, Lee-Scott wins shootout 3-1)
CLASS 5A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Westminster Christian (19-3-1) 2, St. Michael Catholic (17-3-4) 1

CLASS 1A/3A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Collinsville (22-3-1) 5, Tuscaloosa Academy (21-6-0) 2
CLASS 4A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
St. John Paul II Catholic (19-1-2) 3, St. Luke’s Episcopal (16-7-0) 1

CLASS 5A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Guntersville (24-4-1) vs. Indian Springs (17-4-3), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oneonta (12-4-2) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (19-5-1), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 6A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mountain Brook (16-2-1) vs. Briarwood Christian (14-7-0), Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
CLASS 7A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 
Oak Mountain (29-0) vs. Montgomery Academy (18-5-2), Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.

7A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Vestavia Hills (20-2-4) vs. Auburn (20-3-1), Sat., May 10, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 6A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Southside (21-5-1) vs. Spanish Fort (21-3-4), Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.

 

 

 

AHSAA 2025 Soccer Championships
Collinsville Claims First 1A-3A Boys’
State Soccer Crown since 2013
  HUNTSVILLE – Five different players scored goals Friday for Collinsville High School’s boys’ soccer team as the Panthers rolled to a 5-2 victory over Tuscaloosa Academy in the AHSAA Class 1A/3A Boys’ State Soccer Championship match at Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex / John Hunt Soccer Park.
     The state title was the second in Collinsville school history and the first since 2013.
     Class 1A/3A state championship game MVP Jefferson Acevedo scored the opening goal at the 20:08 giving the Panthers of Coach Jeff Stanley a 1-0 lead and Collinsville (22-3-1) never trailed.
    The Panthers stretched the lead to 4-0 early in the second half thanks to goals from Eddy Ortiz, Alex Herrea, and Jan Segura. Tuscaloosa Academy finally got on the board at 60:20 in the second half when Anton Schmidt scored for the Knights (21-6-0), coached by Carter Hill. Senior Danillo Stojakovic cut the lead to 4-2 eight minutes later, but Collinsville closed out the win with a goal byAaron Herrera.
    Collinsville also got an outstanding game from keeper Jinen Shukal, who had seven saves in the contest. Owen Price had five for Tuscaloosa Academy.
    The Knights captured their third AHSAA state runner-up trophy with their second-place finish in the soccer championships. Tuscaloosa Academy also finished runner-up in football and basketball this school year.
    The AHSAA’s 34^th State Soccer Championships continued Friday with state finals with the boys’ finals in Class 4A and 5A.
    Classes 6A and 7A play their championship matches Saturday at John Hunt Soccer Park. All finals are being video live streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform. For more information, go to www.nfhsnetwork.com .

AHSAA 2025 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOHN HUNT SOCCER PARK
AT LORETTA P. SPENCER SPORTS COMPLEX
FRIDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-1) 3, Madison Academy (12-5-1) 2 (2 OT, Lee-Scott wins shootout 3-1)
CLASS 5A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Westminster Christian (19-3-1) 2, St. Michael Catholic (17-3-4) 1

CLASS 1A/3A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Collinsville (22-3-1) 5, Tuscaloosa Academy (21-6-0) 2
CLASS 4A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
St. John Paul II Catholic (19-1-2) 3, St. Luke’s Episcopal (16-7-0) 1

CLASS 5A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Guntersville (24-4-1) vs. Indian Springs (17-4-3), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oneonta (12-4-2) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (19-5-1), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 6A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mountain Brook (16-2-1) vs. Briarwood Christian (14-7-0), Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
CLASS 7A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 
Oak Mountain (29-0) vs. Montgomery Academy (18-5-2), Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.

7A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Vestavia Hills (20-2-4) vs. Auburn (20-3-1), Sat., May 10, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 6A BOYS’  CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Southside (21-5-1) vs. Spanish Fort (21-3-4), Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.
 

 

 

AHSAA 2025 Soccer Championships
Lee-Scott Claims AHSAA Girls’
Class 1A/3A State Championship     
HUNTSVILLE – Lee-Scott Academy of  Auburn downed Madison Academy 3-2 Friday morning at John Hunt Soccer Park at the Loretta O. Spencer Sports Complex to claim the school’s first AHSAA state soccer title – in the school’s first year as a member of the AHSAA.
    The Class 1A/3A girls’ championship didn’t come easily, however. The Warriors (17-4-0) of Coach Eric Faison battled with the Mustangs (12-5-1) to a 2-2 tie in regulation. The two teams were still tied after two five-minute overtime periods – which sent the teams to a shootout from the mark.
    Lee-Scott won the shootout 3-1 to  seal the win. The clinching kick was delivered by Class 1A/3A state tourney MVP A.J. Spillman. She also had a hat trick in the Warriors’ semifinal win.
    Zarah McGreer opened the match with a goal at 25:09 with an assist from Merrill Huddleston to give Lee-Scott a 1-0 lead. Madison Academy’s Regan Boyd, who had three goals and assist in the Mustangs’ semifinal win, tied the match three minute later.
    Lee-Scott took back the lead in the second half with a goal by Emerson Mills at 62:54. Madison Academy, coached Kelley Murphy,  tied the match again at 2-2 with just five minutes left in regulation when Emma Olson scored when the ball bounced off a defender.
    The AHSAA’s 34^th State Soccer Championships continued Friday with state finals for the Class 1A/3A Boys and girls’ and boys’ finals in Class 4A and 5A.
    Classes 6A and 7A play their championship matches Saturday at John Hunt Soccer Park. All finals are being video live streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform. For more information, go to www.nfhsnetwork.com .

AHSAA 2025 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOHN HUNT SOCCER PARK
AT LORETTA P. SPENCER SPORTS COMPLEX
FRIDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-1) 3, Madison Academy (12-5-1) 2 (2 OT, Lee-Scott wins shootout 3-1)
CLASS 5A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Westminster Christian (19-3-1) 2, St. Michael Catholic (17-3-4) 1

CLASS 1A/3A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Collinsville (21-3-1) vs. Tuscaloosa Academy (21-5-0), Friday, May 9, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
St. John Paul II Catholic (18-1-2) vs. St. Luke’s Episcopal (16-6-0), Friday, May 9, 11:30 a.m.

CLASS 5A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Guntersville (24-4-1) vs. Indian Springs (17-4-3), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oneonta (12-4-2) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (19-5-1), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 6A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mountain Brook (16-2-1) vs. Briarwood Christian (14-7-0), Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
CLASS 7A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 
Oak Mountain (29-0) vs. Montgomery Academy (18-5-2), Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.

7A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Vestavia Hills (20-2-4) vs. Auburn (20-3-1), Sat., May 10, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 6A BOYS’  CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Southside (21-5-1) vs. Spanish Fort (21-3-4), Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.

 

 

WILDCATS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT STATE TITLE

Lewis scores twice to lead Westminster Christian
To AHSAA Class 5A Girls’ Soccer Title

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA

    HUNTSVILLE – Westminster Christian coach Brian Daughtery said his Wildcats faced dim preseason predictions, despite winning two straight state titles in 2023 and 2024.
    The Wildcats lost 12 seniors from the 2024 title team and moved up to Class 5A.
     “These girls were motivated all year long,” Daughtery said.
    The Wildcats (18-3-1) put their grit on display again Friday, beating St. Michael Catholic 2-1 in the Class 5A girls’ title game at Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex / John Hunt Park in Huntsville. The same teams played for the Class 4A title in 2023 and 2024, with Westminster winning both.
    Westminster’s Caleigh Lewis put the Wildcats on top in the 24th minute Friday morning. St. Michael’s Abagail Smeraglia scored the equalizer seven minutes later with an unassisted goal. The teams went to halftime tied at 1-all.
    Lewis scored the game-winner in the 58th minute, heading the ball into the net on a corner kick by Annie Collier. Collier, the tournament MVP, assisted on both of Lewis’ goals.
     “One of the good things about having really good players is you tell them to get in the box and go get it,” Daughtery said. “They went and got it.”
    St. Michaels (14-4-3) outshot the Wildcats 17-7, but Westminster goalkeeper Piper Blazier responded with 11 saves. St. Michael goalkeeper Regan Gregory had two saves. Francheska Arellano led St. Michael with nine shots.
     “This by far the best team I’ve ever been on,” Westminster’s Calli Solan said.
AHSAA 2025 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOHN HUNT SOCCER PARK
AT LORETTA P. SPENCER SPORTS COMPLEX
FRIDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-1) 3, Madison Academy (12-5-1) 2 (2 OT, Lee-Scott wins shootout 3-1)
CLASS 5A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Westminster Christian (19-3-1) 2, St. Michael Catholic (17-3-4) 1

CLASS 1A/3A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Collinsville (21-3-1) vs. Tuscaloosa Academy (21-5-0), Friday, May 9, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 4A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
St. John Paul II Catholic (18-1-2) vs. St. Luke’s Episcopal (16-6-0), Friday, May 9, 11:30 a.m.

CLASS 5A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Guntersville (24-4-1) vs. Indian Springs (17-4-3), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oneonta (12-4-2) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (19-5-1), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 6A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mountain Brook (16-2-1) vs. Briarwood Christian (14-7-0), Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
CLASS 7A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH 
Oak Mountain (29-0) vs. Montgomery Academy (18-5-2), Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.

7A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Vestavia Hills (20-2-4) vs. Auburn (20-3-1), Sat., May 10, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 6A BOYS’  CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Southside (21-5-1) vs. Spanish Fort (21-3-4), Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.
 

 

                   

Oak Mountain heads to 7A Finals
Riding 49-match Win Streak Intact
     HUNTSVILLE – The Oak Mountain Eagles high school boys’ soccer program have not lost a match since 2023. That streak, now 49 in a row, is still intact after the Eagles of Coach David Di Piazzo squeezed past a determined Grissom Tigers squad 2-1 in the Class 7A semifinals at Huntsville’s Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex, John Hunt Soccer Park.
    Oak Mountain (30-0), which has not lost in its last 60 matches, which includes one tie with an out-of-state team in 2024, will face Montgomery Academy (18-5-2) in the finals Saturday at 9 a.m. MA downed Fairhope 3-2 in  a match that went two overtimes and was settled by the shots-on-the-mark.
     All semifinal and championship matches in each classification are being live video streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform www.nfhsnetwork.com
     Oak Mountain took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal from senior forward Sam Collins at 23.49. Just 31 seconds into the second half, senior midfielder Roy Soldevilla tacked on a second goal to give the defending 7A state champs a 2-0 lead. Grissom (16-8-3) cut the lead to 2-1 at 63:10 with sophomore Nate Spellman notching the goal.
     Oak Mountain’s defense then did the rest – limiting the Tigers to just three shots on goal the entire match. Keeper Owen Wells finished with two saves for the Eagles and Grissom keeper Jackson Bishop had six.
 

Vestavia Hills pulls out 2-OT Win over
James Clemens in 7A Girls’ Semifinals
     HUNTSVILLE – Vestavia Hills’ and James Clemens’ girls soccer teams meeting the AHSAA 2025 Class 7A State Soccer Championships semifinals Thursday were very much alike.
    Both were quick, gritty, and determined, and both had outstanding goalkeepers –
all prime reasons why the match between the two 7A powerhouse programs went the distance. It took a full 40 minutes of regulation play, two scoreless five-minute overtimes and then a shootout to finally decide the outcome.
    Vestavia Hills (21-2-4) won the shots-from-the-mark shootout 4-3 emerging with the 2-1 win. With the victory, the Lady Rebels, coached by Brigid Meadow, advances to Saturday’s Class 7A girls’ championship match to face defending state champion Auburn. The finals will start at 11:30 a.m., here at Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex’s John Hunt Soccer Park.
    Vestavia Hills to the early lead when senior Emma Listi scored on a defensive turnover at the 11:57 mark in the first half. The 1-0 score stayed intact until 13 minutes 23 minutes into the second half when James Clemens junior Olivia Lawrence scored for the Jets (14-3-4). James Clemens, coached by Erin Riddle, had more shots (24-18) and more shots on goal 12-10) and controlled much of the pace in the second half.
    Both keepers played well with James Clemens’ Maddi  Williams making eight saves, and Vestavia’s Brianna Tortorici finishing with 11 saves.
    In the shots-from-the-mark showdown, Kelsey Redden, Cameron Dickerson, Kendall Roberts and Katie Llewellyn all made their goals for Vestavia Hills. Lawrence, Amelia Mitchell, and Haddie Patterson made goals for James Clemens.

St. John Paul II, St. Luke’s Episcopal
Move into 4A Girls’ Championship
     HUNTSVILLE – Posting a hat trick in high school soccer is still Rare achievement. Wednesday night, St. John Paul II Catholic’s Falcons saw two players – sophomore Lauren Altman and senior Ella Cazzavillan – both accomplish the feat.
    The Falcons (18-1-2) rolled past Cherokee County 9-0 in the Class 4A girls’ semifinal match at John Hunt Soccer Park as St. John Paul II advanced to Friday’s Class 4A girls’ state soccer finals. The Falcons from Huntsville, coached by Sam Bennett, will be facing St. Luke’s Episcopal of Mobile for the championship. The Wildcats (16-6-0) downed Westminster-Oak Mountain 7-1 in Wednesday’s other semifinal bout of the AHSAA’s 34^th State Soccer Championships. The finals will be at 11:30 a.m.
   Alexandra Jodon opened the scoring in St. John Paul II’s victory Wednesday with a goal just 11 minutes into the contest.  Jessi O’Brien followed three minutes later for a 2-0 Falcons lead. The dominating offensive attack continued with Altman scoring the next two goals  in a six-minute span and assisted on Cazzavillan’s  first goal one minute later.
   Altman scored her third goal at 35:33 of the first half as St. John Paul went in at halftime leading 7-0. Cazzavillan tacked on two quick goals in the second half and assisted on the final goal delivered by Brianna Dorsett, and Bennett sent in the reserves for the rest of the match. 
    St. John Paul II officially had 20 shots on goal while Cherokee County (10-7-0) had none. Goalie Cali Martin, an eighth grader, totaled 11 saves to force the contest to go full length.

AHSAA 2025 Soccer Championships

Madison Academy, Lee-Scott Advance
to Class 1A/3A Girls’ Soccer Finals    
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy handed Donoho its first defeat of the season and first-year AHSAA member Lee-Scott Academy of Auburn downed Houston Academy as both advanced to Friday’s Class 1A/3A girls’ championship match in the 2025 AHSAA State Soccer Championships.
    Regan Boyd managed three goals and Emily Mouser had two goal to lead Madison Academy (13-4-1) to a 5-0 win over Donoho (21-2-0). Boyd and Lilly Killian also had one assist each for the Mustangs, coached by Kelley Murphy.
     Donoho, coached by Tim Melton, managed only three shots on goal. Goalkeeper Laralee Church had six saves on goal.
    Madison Academy, which will be battling for the school’s first girls’ soccer state title,  will face Lee-Scott Academy (16-4-0) in the championship match at 9 a.m., Friday.
      All matches are being live video streamed by the NFHS Network and are available for viewing on the NFHS subscriber-based platform. Go to www.nfhsnetwork.com for more information.

AHSAA Boys’ Class 5A Soccer Semifinals
A.J. Shumate records Hat Trick to
Lead Guntersville in Class 5-1 semifinal
     HUNTSVILLE – Guntersville High School senior A.J. Shumate scored three goals Wednesday to lead the Wildcats into Friday’s Class 5A boys’ state finals with a 5-1 win over Boaz.
     Shumate, who has 48 goals on the season, became the AHSAA’s all-time boys’ soccer scoring leader earlier this season. He now has 210 goals in his storied career for Guntersville (24-4-1), coached by Zachary Ross. 
    The Wildcats took a quick 1-0 lead at 14:31 in the first half on a goal by Chris Escobedo. Shumate nailed his first goal just 23 seconds later on an assist from Kalun Cobb. He followed with his second and third goals at 30:05 and 51:55, his final goal set up by an assist from Brandon Manganaris. 
     Boaz got its goal at 58:47 by Jonthan Garcia. Guntersville closed out its scoring with Managanaris scoring at 70:06.
    Guntersville goalkeeper Slaide Mohr had three saves, and Boaz keeper Licio Chavez had two saves.
     Guntersville will face Indian Springs, a 3-1 winner over Faith Academy in the other 5A semifinal, in Friday’s championship match at 2 p.m. The Wildcats will be vying for their first boys’ state soccer title, and Indian Springs will be striving to win its sixth state crown.
 

AHSAA 2025 Soccer Championships get Underway

Westminster beats Springville 1-0
In Class 5A Girls’ Semifinal Battle    
     HUNTSVILLE – The Class 5A girls’ semifinal battle between two defending state champions proved to be just that – a classic battle Wednesday morning at John Hunt Park as the 2025 AHSAA State Soccer Championships got underway.
Westminster Christian (17-3-1) edged Springville (17-3-4) 1-0 in a match that was scoreless through 40 minutes of regulation play and 10 more minutes through two overtime period.  The teams then moved to shots from the mark with five players on each side taking shots from the penalty mark. They tied 3-3 in the first series.
    However, in the second series of shots on the mark, both teams missed on their first tries, Westminster’s keeper came up with a save on Springville’s second try and the Wildcats’ Annie Collier then settled the marathon with a kick on goal for the win.
    Springville, the 2024 Class 5A state champion, finished the match with 12 shots on goal in regulation and the two OTs. Westminster, the Class 4A state champs in 2023 and 2024, had eight shots on goal during that same span. Springville’s keeper Abby Holland recorded six saves for the Tigers, coached by Meg Arney. Westminster’s goalkeeper Piper Blazier had 12 saves – including the last one in that sealed the win in the PK segment.
     The Wildcats, coached by Hunter Chapman, will face St. Michael Catholic in Friday’s finals at 11:30 a.m., at John Hunt Park. All matches are being live video streamed by the NFHS Network and are available for viewing on the NFHS subscriber-based platform. Go to www.nfhsnetwork.com for more information.

OXFORD, Ala. (May 5, 2025) – The 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Softball Championship tournament begins Tuesday, May 6 in Oxford, Ala. The University of North Alabama will compete as the No. 9 seed and will play No. 8 Jacksonville in the first round at 12:30 p.m.

 

The winner of UNA and JU will advance to the 5:30 p.m. game against No. 5 Austin Peay. If UNA can win both of those game, the Lions will advance to the double elimination rounds which begin Wednesday.

 

For the first time in ASUN tournament history, there will be 10 teams included — five from the ASUN Gold Division and five from the ASUN Graphite Division. According to the schedule, the champion will be decided on Saturday, May 10.

 

2025 ASUN Softball Championship
May 6-10, 2025

Choccolocco Park
Oxford, Alabama
Watch: ESPN+

Stats: StatBroadcast

Info: Click Here

Bracket: Click Here
 

NOTES

 

LAST TIME OUT: UNA fell in three tight games at Central Arkansas last week to close the regular season. The first game was the tightest, as UNA was edged 2-1 on a pair of late homers by the Bears. UCA won 5-2 and 4-1 in the Saturday doubleheader to close the regular season. In all three games, UNA led early before UCA snatched the lead in the middle-to-late innings.

 

TOURNEY TIME: North Alabama has appeared in all six postseason softball tournaments since joining the ASUN for the 2019 season. The Lions are 7-10 in ASUN tournament games, winning at least one game in each of the last three seasons. In 2023, UNA made a run to the championship game, falling to top-seeded Central Arkansas despite a win against the Bears early in the tournament.

 

AGAINST THE ODDS: UNA will look to accomplish something that has never been done before in ASUN softball this week — win as a low seed. In 39 editions of the tournament since 1986, a top five seed has won it each time. The top seed, which belongs to North Florida this season, has won 24 of the 38 tournaments. The second seed, which is owned by EKU this year, has won six times.

 

THE PATH: Under the new ASUN tournament format, UNA will have to win two games to advance to double elimination. This starts with No. 8 Jacksonville on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. and leads to No. 5 Austin Peay at 5:30 p.m. The winner of those two games will play No. 4 Stetson on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to begin double elimination play. The winner of that game will play No. 1 North Florida on Thursday.

 

DUE FOR A TITLE: North Alabama has five conference championships in softball — all as a member of NCAA Division II in the Gulf South Conference. UNA won its first conference title in 1983 during the slow pitch era, then won back-to-back GSC titles in 1986 and 1987 to begin the fast pitch era. All three titles were won by UNA Hall of Fame Coach Ande Jones. The Lions also won the GSC in 2016 and 2018 under Coach Ashley Cozart, who is in her 12th season with the program.

 

ANOTHER WINNING SEASON: The Lions own a 30-20 record to guarantee a winning season. This extends a 13-year streak without a losing season, including 12 under Cozart.  

 

KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Senior Hailey Jones is in her fourth and final season with the Lions. She is a career .323 hitter with 229 career hits. She is three at-bats away from tying the career record at UNA set by Lindsey Greene from 2005-08 with 713 at-bats. Earlier this season, Jones broke the all-time school record for career doubles and now has 56.

 

PITCHING PROWESS: The Lions rank second in the ASUN with a 2.80 ERA, hanging around with the national leaders all season long. Senior ace Alivia Wilken has a 2.51 ERA over 139.2 innings, recently passing the season century mark for strikeouts against Central Arkansas. Twin sisters Katie Simon and Emily Simon have also contributed to the low ERA, as Emily has a team-low 2.18 ERA and Katie owns a 3.33 ERA.

 

WHEELING AND DEALING: Junior outfielder Laura Leigh Wheeler has hit safely in 30 of the last 36 games, going 6-for-9 last week at Central Arkansas. She had a three-hit game to open the series and currently has a four-game hitting streak. She currently owns the longest streak by any Lion this season at 16 games.

 

GYVAN IT HER BEST: Junior centerfielder Gyvan Hammons has an active 13-game on-base streak, slowing raising her average from .194 to .281 since the end of February against nationally-ranked Auburn. She won ASUN Play of the Week on Monday for a diving catch against EKU.

 

SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE: UNA’s first opponent will be Jacksonville, who has a 22-26 overall record and a 9-15 record in ASUN games. The Dolphins dropped two of three last weekend at Queens. Senior Haley Fox leads the offense with 54 hits and a .348 batting average, while sophomore left-handed pitcher Skylar Waggoner sports an impressive 1.98 ERA over 109.1 innings.

 

SERIES HISTORY: The Lions are 7-1 against Jacksonville, including five straight wins.

 

2023 TOURNAMENT REWIND: UNA and Jacksonville’s last meeting came in the 2023 ASUN Championship. In UNA’s first game of the tournament, the Lions won on a 10th inning walk-off by Sidney Bevis. Current assistant coach Danielle Taitt reached on the single that later became the go-ahead run in that game. UNA went on to beat FGCU, Central Arkansas and Liberty before falling to UCA in two during the championship.

 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

 

 

FLORENCE, Ala. (May 5, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball team heads to Martin, Tenn. for their second game of the season against UT Martin on Tuesday, May 6. These two previously met last week on Tuesday, April 29 as the Lions won 3-1.

  
Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast, while live video will not be available.

North Alabama vs. UT Martin
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
5 p.m.
 

NOTES
  
THE RUNDOWN: The University of North Alabama baseball team won its final game against the Lipscomb Bisons this past weekend, 4-1. The Lions lost the first two games during the weekend but the final game marked their 11th ASUN win this season, the most in a season since joining the Division I ranks. Jonathan Lane earned his 206th career hit, cementing himself into fourth place all-time for career hits as a Lion. Dylan Morrill earned his first start this season, throwing seven scoreless innings and earned the win in that outing.

 

SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 47th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Lions are 33-13 all-time against UT Martin with their most recent win coming just last Tuesday by a score of 3-1. Since 2021, the two teams have met eight times, all in Florence, Ala. UNA is perfect in their last six games against UTM dating back to 2022. The last time the Lions visited Martin, Tenn. came under Coach Mike Lane in 1991 when the team competed in the NCAA Regionals.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS: This one is not too hard since these teams met just a week ago, as the Lions moved their win streak to six over UT Martin. UTM is 18-28 this season with a 9-11 conference record. The Skyhwaks recently competed in an Ohio Valley Conference game against Southern Indiana in Martin, Tenn. winning two of three. UT Martin won 10-7 on Sunday with a four-run inning in the bottom of the eighth for a come-from-behind win.

 

STREAKING THROUGH: The Lions won over the Skyhawks last Tuesday, 3-1. That win extended the streak to six games in a row in North Alabama’s favor. However, this is the first time the Lions are making their way back to Martin, Tenn. since 1991. North Alabama went 3-1 against the Skyhawks that season, but split the road matchup. UNA won the first game 8-1 but lost the second 2-3, leaving the loss as the final game in Martin, Tenn. for 34 years.

 

CEMENTED: Captain and second baseman Jonathan Lane earned his 206th career hit on Sunday, May 4 against Lipscomb. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lane singled to shortstop that he beat out for the single. The 206 career hits passed the great former MLB standout and UNA Athletic Hall of Famer Josh Willingham who sat in fourth with 205 hits in his career. Currently Kyle Hubbach, a 2018 graduate from UNA, sits in third with 215 career hits.

 

MOUNTAIN PEAK: The Lions won 10 conference games last season, the most since entering the Division I era and the first time reaching double digit wins in conference play during that time. North Alabama has officially surpassed that after they beat the Bisons on Sunday, May 4 with their 11th win in ASUN play this season.

 

UP NEXT: After the midweek game against UT Martin, the Lions bring Eastern Kentucky to Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium for their final set of games at home this season. The first game against the Colonels starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.