MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of West Florida women's soccer defense picked up a shutout and junior Grace Busby connected on the game-winner in the 46th minute of Friday night's 1-0 win at Christian Brothers. The win puts UWF at 11-3-1 on the year and guarantees UWF a spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament, which begins on Halloween.
 
The Argonauts currently stand in fifth place in the conference with an 8-2-1 record and 25 points in conference play with three GSC matches remaining on the schedule.
 
West Florida started strong on Friday evening, with nine shots in the opening half compared to CBU's two. UWF would not manage a goal in the first half, but the team's furious pace set the tone for the second half, when Busby found the net on a ball from Isabella Garcia-Salas.
 
Just 29 seconds into the second half, Busby received a pass from the midfield and dumped it off to Garcia-Salas at the top of the 18-yard box. Garcia-Salas played a low ball right back to Busby, who played it past a CBU defender with her first touch and converted a shot from 12 yards out to put UWF ahead 1-0.
 
UWF kept the intensity going for the rest of the second half, outshooting CBU 5-2 in the final 25 minutes of play and getting shots on goal from Kayla Douglas in the 65th minute and Shantell Thompson in the 86th.
 
Senior keeper Katelyn Burkhart earned her eighth win and fifth shutout of the season on Friday, needing to face only two shots from the Lady Bucs, including one in the 88th minute from Nikesha Mitchell that one-hopped into Burkhart's hands from 20 yards out.
 
The Argonauts are the fifth team in the GSC to lock up a spot in the conference tournament this year, joining Mississippi College, North Alabama, Valdosta State and Lee.
 
West Florida continues its road trip on Sunday with a matchup at Union in Jackson, Tennessee, which is scheduled for a 2 pm kickoff.