NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER FINAL FOUR PHOTOS

As promised, here are some photos taken by UWF Assistant Athletic Trainer Melanie Burke and Athletic Training Student Assistant Katie Barker from the women's soccer Final Four in Tampa.

---

On the way to the banquet



---

Pre-game locker room meeting



---

Bench personnel in their NCAA green pennies



---

Thanking the fans after the 4-0 semifinal win over St. Rose



---

Quick team photo after the semifinal win



---

Warming up on the track before the championship game





---

Athletic trainers getting the players ready




---

UWF crowd in attendance for the championship game, including UWF Interim President Dr. Judy Bense, Vice President Dr. Deborah Ford, UWF Athletics staff, and friends and family



---

Your GoArgos.com broadcast staff: Michael Banks on left (GSC Assistant SID), Matt Rowley in middle (UWF SID), and David Pedro on right (UWF Assistant SID)




---

Pre-game introductions




---

UWF men's soccer coach Bill Elliott (front) and women's soccer coach Joe Bartlinski (back)



---

Right before kickoff




---

Halftime (note the building clouds in the background)



---

Thanks again to Melanie Burke and Katie Barker for their photos of this memorable trip. We could have gotten more if the rain hadn't poured down on us at the end of the second half and overtime of the championship game.

Thanks Melanie!

COURTNEY JONES FEATURED ON UWF.EDU

Two-time All-American women's soccer goalkeeper Courtney Jones was featured in a recruiting piece at UWF.edu. To view the story, click here.

2008-09 HIGHLIGHTS

We just added a new page to the Athletic News section of GoArgos.com. When you click on Athletic News on the left sidebar, you will now be able to access a comprehensive list of accomplishments by UWF student-athletes during the 2008-09 season by clicking on "2008-09 Highlights" on the right sidebar. We'll update it throughout the year so fans can view all of our accomplishments for the academic year in one place.

WOMEN'S SOCCER FINAL FOUR: DAY 5

Saturday was a memorable day to be sure. The game started at 3:30 pm Tampa time, so the team got a quick early lunch and headed out to the field around 1 pm. Michael Banks from the GSC Office was in attendance for his duties as part of the NCAA men's soccer championship committee, and he was nice enough to join us on the audio broadcast. As the game went into overtime, the rain started coming down heavier, making things tough for us outside in front of the press box with no cover.

It was a special season for the Argos. The game came out in favor of the opposition, but UWF left Tampa with their heads held high, finishing a season with just one defeat. There were hugs and tears, but the team knew what they had accomplished and traveled back to Pensacola feeling proud.

It was a late night arriving back at the UWF Soccer Complex at around 3:30 am Sunday morning, but members of the men's soccer team were there to greet the team and congratulate them on an outstanding season. It was a touching moment and one I'm sure the women's team will always remember.

In the coming week we'll be posting photos from the trip, so stay tuned to the Argos Blog.

WOMEN'S SOCCER FINAL FOUR: DAYS 2-4

Wednesday was another day of practice for the Argos, and they also had a walk-through on the playing field at Pepin Stadium. Tampa hosted a banquet that night, with each men's and women's team in attendance. Our very own Kaley Morris spoke on behalf of UWF, giving those in attendance some interesting facts about the school and Pensacola.

Thursday was a long day as the team had to wait until 7pm for the semifinal game. Coach Bartlinski kept the team busy during the day, having a quick parking lot practice before going to lunch. The first women's semifinal started at 4pm, and the team showed up right as the first game was ending. Seattle Pacific defeated Metro State 3-1, the Argos took the field, and you know the rest ...

After Thursday's 4-0 win over St. Rose, the Argos had a relaxing Friday as they enjoyed staying down in Tampa. The team had another training session, and they attended the men's semifinal between Tampa and Cal State Dominguez Hills. CSUDH beat Tampa 3-2 in overtime, and they'll face Dowling in the men's final on Sunday.

We're waiting to leave for the field here on Saturday. We're looking forward to seeing the UWF women's soccer team in the NCAA Championship game for the first time in school history. Check GoArgos.com for info on how to follow the game online or on TV. Yours truly Matt Rowley will be calling the action in an audio broadcast on GoArgos.com along with David Pedro, and we may have a special guest or two as well.

Day 1 Blog by Kaley Morris

Written by Kaley Morris:

Tuesday: We had to wake up really early but it was worth it because we got to get our bagelheads like we do before every away trip and because we were headed down to TAMPA for the FINAL FOUR!! Even though its Tuesday, Thursday feels like so far away and I just can't imagine the season ending. We stopped at St. Leo and had a good jog stretch...it was just another day on the field and everyone was having a great time like usual while putting the balls into the back of the net. We finally got into Tampa around 6:45 and the reality set in that we were representing the University of West Florida in our historic appearance in the tournament. I'm just ready for Wednesday to come and leave and Thursday to arrive so we can do what we've been wanting since the first day of preseason...to prove to ourselves and to the nation what we can accomplish. One more day....Lets go Udubb!!

WOMEN'S SOCCER FINAL FOUR: DAY 1

The team made it down to Tampa yesterday and are preparing for a busy Wednesday. The bus made a quick stop at Saint Leo in the afternoon on the way to Tampa, as the team got a quick practice in thanks to our friends at SLU. Later today we'll post some thoughts from student-athletes, so stay tuned to the Argos Blog.

COVERAGE OF UWF WOMEN’S SOCCER AT NCAA FINAL FOUR

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida women’s soccer team will head south to the University of Tampa for the NCAA Division II Final Four this week, and the UWF student-athletes will share their experiences on the Argos Blog at www.GoArgos.com throughout the week. UWF will face St. Rose in the national semifinal match on Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 pm ET, with the opportunity to advance to the finals on Saturday at 3:30 pm ET.

No. 2 West Florida holds a record of 23-0-1 in this record-breaking 2008 season, and they enter the Final Four as the top-ranked remaining team. The Argonauts represent the South Region, and they will face No. 21 St. Rose (20-3-2) of the East Region. On the other side of the bracket, No. 7 Metro State (20-1-3) of the Central Region faces No. 4 Seattle Pacific (20-1-2) of the West Region.

Each UWF game will feature live audio broadcasts online at www.GoArgos.com. Fans can also follow live stats online at www.TampaSpartans.com. A live video broadcast will be available on www.NCAA.com for the semifinal match on Thursday, and Saturday’s championship game will air on national television on CBS College Sports.

Should the Argonauts advance to Saturday’s championship game, UWF will sponsor a Fan Bus for current faculty, staff, and students. The cost of the trip will be $20 per person, which includes round trip transportation and a ticket to the championship match. Sign up for the Fan Bus will be held Friday, December 5 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the UWF Athletics administration lobby located on the Northwest corner of the Field House (Building 54). Space is limited and sign-up will be on a first-come basis. Individuals may sign up themselves and one other person. Payment is due at sign-up and may be made in cash or with a check payable to UWF. The bus will leave from the water tower parking lot Saturday at 5:00 am sharp. No refunds will be available for late-comers.

Fans that wish to send in questions for the student-athletes to answer on the Argos Blog may email them to uwfsportsinformation@gmail.com. To view the Argos Blog, click on the Blog button on the front page at www.GoArgos.com.

#ARGOS#

Thursday, December 4: Semifinals vs. St. Rose (7:00 pm ET)
Live Video
Live Audio
Live Stats

Saturday, December 6: Finals vs. Metro State / Seattle Pacific (3:30 pm ET)
Television - CBS College Sports (see local listings)
Live Audio
Live Stats

Other Links
Argos Blog
NCAA Interactive Bracket
University of Tampa Host Site

WARRICK STARRING AT NGA HOOTERS PRO GOLF TOUR

UWF men's golf grad Kevin Warrick picked up a win at the The Hooters Tour’s Bridgestone Winter Series on November 13. For the complete story, click here.

UWF SOCCER FEATURED ON PENSACOLA110.COM

UWF supporter Bill Stockland has covered several UWF teams on his site Pensacola110.com, and recently the soccer teams have been featured with photo galleries. To view Pensacola110.com, click here.

STUART MANLEY LEADS EUROPEAN TOUR'S PORTUGAL MASTERS

UWF men's golf alumnus Stuart Manley is leading after the opening round of the Portugal Masters. Click here for the complete story.

BRIANNA OESER FEATURED IN NWF DAILY NEWS

For the complete story, click here.

MORE PHOTOS FROM LAST WEEK

Thanks to photographer Ron Besser (and his much nicer camera), here are more photos from last week's events:

MEDIA DAY

Ron's photos from the Spooner Field Dedication will be coming soon.

SPOONER FIELD DEDICATION PHOTO GALLERY

For complete coverage of the event, see the story posted on GoArgos.com by clicking here.

---

Although Tropical Storm Fay lurked in the distance, it was a packed house on the final day of the season for the Pelicans with a season-high 3,751 fans.

Due to some uncooperative wind in the afternoon, fans got a sneak peak at the new sign erected above the scoreboard in right field.

To the delight of the home crowd, the Pelicans swept the doubleheader over the Grand Prairie Air Hogs, winning 7-0 in Game One and 7-3 in Game Two.

After the first game ended, the ceremony started with the UWF baseball team walking on to the field from the third base line ...

... followed by a large group of UWF baseball alumni in attendance to support their former coach.

The ceremony was held at home plate, as the UWF baseball alumni stood behind the speakers ...

... flanked on both sides by the current UWF baseball team.

Sandra Averhart of WUWF acted as Master of Ceremonies.

The first speaker was K.C. Clark, who emphasized the importance of naming public places.

Next up was Dr. Judy Bense, UWF Interim President. Dr. Bense spoke of the value of endowed scholarships and the money raised to name the field after Coach Spooner.

Casey Roberts, former player under Coach Spooner, detailed the relationships that the coach and mentor formed with his student-athletes.

Pelicans owner Quint Studer discussed the impact that Coach Spooner has had for baseball in Pensacola.

A rendering of the Jim Spooner Field sign was brought to the field, and Sharon Hess Herrick and current UWF baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat ...

... unveiled the rendering.

Jim Spooner was unavailable to make the event because of complications due to a battle with cancer, but the first UWF baseball All-American Wayne Giddings was in attendance to read a message from Coach Spooner.

It was a memorable night for all in attendance. Thanks to the Pelicans and UWF officials for making this such a special event.

UWF FALL SPORTS MEET WITH LOCAL MEDIA

For the complete story at GoArgos.com, click here.

Some pictures from UWF Fall Sports Media Day 2008:

The tables set up in our room at The Fish House

---



UWF Coaches & Student-athletes

---



Gulf Coast Media Members and UWF Athletics Staff

---



Volleyball Head Coach Melissa Wolter

---



Cross Country Head Coach Dr. John Bergen

---



Men's Soccer Head Coach Bill Elliott

---



Women's Soccer Head Coach Joe Bartlinski

---

Thanks to everyone who made this event possible, including the fine folks at The Fish House.