North Alabama senior Adelyn Speight shared the United Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award and earned First Team All-UAC honors, becoming the first Lion to win the program’s top defensive award. Junior Gizelle El Assal made the second team, and freshman Catherine Schneiderhan earned All-Freshman recognition.

By the Numbers
  • Speight anchored a defense that recorded 6 shutouts, including 3 straight to end the regular season.
  • El Assal led North Alabama with 34 shots and recorded 3 assists.
  • Schneiderhan appeared in all 17 games, scoring 2 goals and adding 1 assist.
  • North Alabama now has 19 all-conference selections since moving to Division I in 2018.
Yes, But

Speight shared the defensive award with Abilene Christian’s Gracie Kelly. Her honor also marks a milestone for North Alabama: the program’s first Defensive Player of the Year in its 30-year history.

Bottom Line

North Alabama’s three postseason honorees reflect contributions across its defense, midfield and attack—and give the program another milestone in its Division I era.