PENSACOLA, Fla. – The fifth-ranked University of West Florida women's soccer team fell 1-0 to Mississippi College on Friday night, with a goal from MC in the 84th minute proving to be the difference-maker. West Florida is now 5-1 on the year and 2-1 in the Gulf South Conference.
 
The Argonauts outshot Mississippi College 14-8 in the toughest contest of the year, with 6 of those 14 shots coming on goal. In her first career start in net, Grace Busby recorded four saves and her only goal allowed was on a one-on-one matchup with Katie Taylor at the top of the six-yard box.
 
Things simply would not break UWF's way on Friday night, as none of the Argos' six shots met the back of the net. West Florida put three shots on goal in less than two minutes early in the first half, with deliveries coming from Deneisha Blackwood, who led all players with three shots, Victoria Swift and Leonie Kreil in the 15th and 16th minutes.
 
The rest of the first half was defense-heavy, with only two total shots in the final 29 minutes of play.
 
While UWF operated in its offensive third for most of the first half, the final 45 was a little more even. Blackwood and Holly Pascoe each had a shot on goal within three minutes of the beginning of the second half, and Lauren Smith, Blackwood and Kayla Douglas each had a shot on goal just seven minutes later.
 
West Florida got one of its best looks of the night in the 80th minute, when a long cross from Jessica Quixley found Shantell Thompson, who headed it just high and over the net.
 
Six minutes later, Lauren Smith delivered what ended up being the game-winner on a low cross that found Taylor, who scored on a low line drive.
 
UWF will host Delta State on Sunday at 3 pm before heading to Columbus, Georgia, for a fixture with No. 2 Columbus State on Thursday, September 28.