(Courtesy Ron Besser/GoArgos.com)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The West Florida women’s soccer team moved up one spot to No. 6 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/HendrickCars.com national poll released on Tuesday.  After winning a third straight Gulf South Conference title over the weekend, the Argonauts will begin their quest for the NCAA Division II national title on Sunday, Nov. 14.

Saint Rose stayed undefeated at 21-0 and held onto the top spot in the national poll, followed by Central Missouri at No. 2.  After winning the Sunshine State Conference title, Tampa moved up to No. 17, and the Spartans will play their first round game at UWF on Friday against North Alabama.  After losing to Tampa in the quarterfinals of the SSC Tournament, Rollins fell out of the national poll but will still start the NCAA Tournament as the top seed in the region.

Senior Shakira Duncan (Kingston, Jamaica/Darton), the GSC Player of the Year and GSC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, leads NCAA Division II in goals (1.5) and points (3.55) per game.  The reigning Daktronics National Player of the Year is trying to repeat as the national scoring champion, a feat that has happened twice in the last 10 years (Missy Gregg of Christian Brothers in 2001-02, Katy Tafler of Grand Valley State in 2006-07).

UWF will receive a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament, and on Sunday the Argonauts will face the winner of Friday’s Tampa vs. North Alabama game.  The first round game between UT and UNA will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12, with the winner advancing to play UWF on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m.