FLORENCE, Ala. | Alabama State was unable to overcome a quick start by North Alabama, falling 5-1 in the season opener following a lightning delay at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex Friday night.
 
"We gave up goals in bunches in the first fifteen minutes so I am very disappointed," Alabama State head coach Jodie Smith said. "We were poor from the first whistle and didn't come to play. That's on me."
 
Shelby Wall recorded a pair of goals, and Kylie Huey picked up two assists in the first half, for North Alabama in front of a packed house in their first Division I event since making the transition from Division II.
 
North Alabama (1-0) wasted little time getting on the board as Haley Yarber scored off an assist by Huey off a corner kick for a 1-0 lead in just the fifth minute.
 
Fourteen seconds later, Wall was able to get a steal and score quickly followed on another goal by Audrey Tanner in the seventh minute. The second goal by Wall came in the 14th minute with an assist from Huey. After a thirty-minute lightning delay, UNA returned to action with a goal by Madeline Gullen in the 65th minute.
 
Alabama State (0-1) avoided the shutout when Birgit Rijnders was able to score on a header off a cross by Kayla Tillman in the 77th minute.
 
Gianna Guyot finished with seven saves for the Lady Hornets, who were outshot 28-5 by North Alabama.
 
The Lady Hornets return to action Sunday on the road against Gardner-Webb, who fell to UNCG 2-1 in their season opener. The match kicks at 1:00 pm at Greene-Harbison Stadium.
 
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