The UNA Lions capped off an impressive weekend with a win over Gulf South Conference power West Florida (2-0) and ended the other team’s 54-game conference winning streak.

With the win over West Florida, the Lions (14-3, 6-1) moved into a tie for first place in the final GSC standing. It was the first win in program history against the Argonauts, and it opens the door for a possible rematch in tournament play starting next week in Pensacola, Fla.

“It is a huge confidence booster for our team,” said UNA coach Graham Winkworth. “It was very important to finally be able to get the victory over West Florida, and it shows the girls that they can beat them. It was definitely a milestone victory for our program.”

UNA shares a three-way tie for first with West Florida and Valdosta State, which could be crucial in determining who the Lions will be matched up with in the tournament.

Whatever seed the Lions are in next week’s GSC tournament, the momentum is on the side of UNA. The Lions will roll into the tournament with five straight wins as the team who took down the invincible West Florida last Sunday.

“If all 11 of our girls play the way we played on Sunday, I feel like we can beat anybody in the country,” Winkworth said. “Out of all 17 games we have played, we have outshot all 17 teams. With one of the best goalies and center forwards in the country, I really believe we have a shot in every game.”

UNA is going into the last regular season game with the top two goals scored by Chloe Roberts (15), leading the way, and a tie for second is Jennifer Osmond (12). In all offensive and defensive categories, the Lions are ranked first or second, including the most goals scored, assists and goals in the conference.

“The girls are confident, and they know that Sunday’s win against West Florida isn’t the main goal on the season,” Winkworth said. “Practice this week will be back to reality and will be a hard, treacherous week of practice. It is important that we get a reality check, and we don’t want our season to peak too early.”

The expectations are much higher now for the Lions going into the tournament after capping off the best regular season in UNA women’s soccer history. The waiting game begins for the Lions to see who their next opponent will be, but the momentum and work ethic will be there for the Lions when tournament play begins.

“I believe since we have an experienced team, the girls are certainly able to handle the expectations,” Winkworth said. “I don’t believe it will be much different because our girls have put these expectations in them from the start of the season and have put even bigger expectations on themselves than anybody.

“One reason for that is because we want to win championships, and that has been our goal since the preseason.”

The Lions have one game remaining until the conference tournament begins Oct. 31 at home for senior night against Kentucky Wesleyan with kickoff at 7 p.m.

Game recap

• The Lions picked up two wins against UAH and West Florida, giving the Lions a 14-3 overall record and a 6-1 record in conference play.
• The win against West Florida was the Lions’ first ever victory against the Argos in school history.
• Alex McLay recorded her eighth shutout of the season against UWF and her school record 25th for her career.