UWF Men's Soccer to Host First Round National Tournament Event :: Argonauts earn top spot in South Region, as a result of the Conference Championship.

Argonauts earn top spot in South Region, as a result of the Conference Championship.

Nov. 6, 2007

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The West Florida men's soccer team is the top seed in the South Region of the 2007 NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Argonauts (14-1) are riding a 14 match win streak, and will play conference rival Montevallo for the third time in 15 days. West Florida must pull off the hat trick of beating Montevallo three times, in order to advance to the regional finals. Tampa (11-3) and Lynn (14-2-1) are the other two teams competing in the South Region, here in Pensacola this next weekend.

On Friday, Tampa and Lynn will square off at 3:00 pm, with UWF hosting Montevallo at 5:30 pm. The Argos defeated Montevallo 3-2, just two weeks ago on the same field that they will play on this Friday. Most recently, the two teams battled for the Gulf South Conference Championship at Brosnahm Park this past Sunday, with UWF winning 2-0 for their second consecutive GSC title. The Argos made it to the final four one year ago, and are poised to make another exciting run this season.

"We're thrilled to be in the tournament," said UWF head coach Bill Elliott, "you've got to get in before you can win, and we're here, so we got a chance. Anything is possible. We are not thrilled with playing Montevallo again," Elliott exclaimed. "Every time we play them, it's a fierce battle. The coaches and players know each other so well, it's like competing against your brother. We expect another tough match."

West Florida has put together a very strong season resume' this year. The Argos represented more than half of the 2007 All-Conference First Team selections, as UWF nabbed six of the 11 player first team squad. Forwards Keith Savage and Jimmy McHenry, midfielder Nick Mroczkowski, defenders Okang Nkosi and Nolan Intermoia, along with goal keeper Juan Garcia were all first team selections.

Savage, the 2003 GSC Freshman of the Year, became just the tenth player in league history with three First Team selections. The gulf Breeze native is second in UWF history with 24 career assists, which is one shy on the UWF record. Senior McHenry joins Savage as one of three attackers selected to the first team. The Tallahassee native, a 2006 second team selection, lead the Argonauts with 16 goals and his 25 career goals is currently eighth in school history. McHenry was one of three unanimous selections.