It is a game of speed, for sure, but it is also a game of strength and athletic courage.  I've observed the championship levels of the NCAA Division II the last few years and I've seen players  running with unrestrained determination.  I'm not talking about intentional brute force as you'd see in rugby—I'm talking about  collisions between fearless players who pursue the play and throw themselves at the ball or an opportunity.  Players leap to head the ball as a pass, a block  or a shot on goal.  They will crash to the ground as part of a bicycle kick or whirl around an opponent with the finesse of a dancer.


Some more "non contact"action.  UWF keeper Lauren Byrd defends the goal with the help of
Shameka Gordon (#6), Sheka Codner (#10) and Kaley Morris (#9).

The UWF women defeated Florida Southern 3-1 on September 14th.  The game was physical.  They all are at this
level.  What was notable about this match was Florida Southern managing to be the only team to score against
the Argos in  6 games this season.


Hanna Jansson, (#15) scores the only goal scored against UWF in 6 games.

UWF jumped off to a 3-0 lead and seemed to play the second half with the defensive mindset  you would
expect.  Florida Southern threw everything they had at the home team but were rebuffed repeatedly. 


Goal keeper Courtney Jones (#00) has given up 1 goal in over 5 games

Soccer is helping to put UWF and Pensacola on the world map.  The game we call soccer is the world's game.  Futbol does not have  boundaries and UWF, like many top teams, lists several (at least five, I think) foreign born players on the 27 person roster.  (Florida Southern has 4 Swedish players.)  Last year's Division II final game between Tampa and Franklin Pierce featured several foreign born players on both teams.  It reminds me a little of how so many European countries have attracted and adopted American basketball players in their pro leagues.  It's exciting to see how America is closing the talent gap in soccer much the same as Europe is narrowing the gap in basketball.  It would seem to me that foreign born soccer players would be choosing teams with coaches and native born players who compare favorably to the skilled coaches and players of their home countries.  Not only has UWF attracted some highly skilled international players, they have excellent players from all over the state of Florida and several other states.  That qualifies the Argos as a big time Division II program.


Goal keepers are key players.  Lauren Byrd leaps to capture a shot despite being held.  Also defending is Tori Fish (#22) and Marcela Franco (#7).

On 9-19, UWF faces a real test.  They travel to Tampa to play the defending national champs.  UWF currently enjoys being ranked 5th nationally! You can keep track of the different UWF athletic teams and schedules at their website.  http://goargos.cstv.com  Games are played at the soccer Complex on campus.  There is plenty of parking and seating.


Courtney Jones with a classic form on a goal keepers kick.



Marcela Franco goes airborne after being tripped.  #19 is Jodi Galucci



Marcela Franco uses a little body english to score a goal.



Tori Fish (#22) keeps an attacker away from the goal.



Alison Riley (#16) and Cholena Russo  (#17) defend.



Dernelle Mascall (#8) leaps high to head the ball.  Taylor Murphy (#15) and Sheka Codner (#10) close in to help.



Fearless Shameka Gordon (#6) goes high to head the ball away.  Noha Saleh (#4) and Kaley Morris (#9) are ready.



#10 Sheka Codner, #12 Naila Owens, #8 Dernelle Mascall, #4 Noah Saleh, #6 Shameka Gordon and some
unidentified teammates prepare  for a free kick.