CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's soccer team defeated the top-ranked team in the conference in the Argonauts of the University of West Florida 1-0 on Thursday afternoon. The victory officially clinches the Lady Choctaws a spot in the Gulf South Conference Postseason Tournament.
 
"It's a huge win for the program, because they're one of the top teams in the nation," Head Coach Darryl Longabaugh said. "We're excited about the victory, and we're pumped and ready to go for what lies ahead."
 
The win improves MC's record to 11-4-1 on the season, and 8-2-1 in GSC play. The Lady Choctaws currently sit in third place in the conference standings, behind West Florida and Lee.
 
Lauren Kate Carter led the charge offensively for the Lady Choctaws, scoring the game's lone goal. Carter found the back of the net for her third goal of the season in the 70^th minute, with help from Caitlin Hayes and Sara Hodges on the assists.  
 
"I saw the ball open and saw that no one was running to it," Carter said. "So I just ran from the back post and tried to strike it hard."
 
The Lady Choctaws tallied 10 shots on the afternoon, with four on goal. MC took three shots in the first half, and seven in the second. The goal for MC served as the first goal West Florida has given up in conference play this season.
 
Hayes led all Lady Choctaws with three shots taken on the afternoon, with one of them being on frame. Sara Hodges accounted for two shots, with a shot on goal. Carter and Katie Taylor both were responsible for a shot on goal, while Madison Leonard, Emma Claire Furman and Liza Wize all also put up a shot on the afternoon.
 
In Goal, Andrea McDonald grabbed four saves, and recorded her fifth shutout of the season. The sophomore goalkeeper improved her record to 9-4-1 for the season.
 
MC took eight corner kicks in the contest, to UWF's three. The Lady Choctaws committed two offside infractions, compared to the Argo's one.
 
MC was whistled for 17 fouls, compared to UWF's 12. The Lady Choctaws were the recipient of two yellow cards, while West Florida was tagged for one.
 
The Lady Choctaws will return to action on Sunday, when they host the Badgers of Spring Hill College in the final regular season home game of the 2016 season. The senior class will be honored and recognized approximately 10 minutes prior to the 1:00 p.m. kickoff.