Men's soccer team faces Monroe College for national title

The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team meets Monroe College for the NJCAA Division I National Championship on Saturday night in Tyler, Texas.

The matchup is a rematch from a meeting in August which Monroe College won 4-3, giving the Titans a chance to avenge their only loss of the season.

"It was a heck of a game and we are happy to get a rematch," "We will see if we can maybe keep it a little lower scoring and put in a top performance."

Eastern Florida State College is 16-1-2 on the season and reached the championship game by defeating Laramie County Community College 4-0 in the semifinals. The Titans have not allowed a goal in the tournament and are playing in the title game for the first time in program history.

Monroe College has been the top team in the country all season and enters the championship game 17-0. The Mustangs advanced to the national championship game by defeating Illinois Central 3-0 in the semifinals. The Titans are the only team to score more than two goals on the Mustangs this season and the two teams are in the top five in goals allowed this season.  

"They have scored a few more goals than us in the tournament but we both have three clean sheets, so we are excited to see what the final brings," Twelvetrees said. "I think (Monroe coach) Marcus (DiBernardo) is one of the premier coaches in the junior college ranks. What he does in the coaching community is phenomenal and I have been a big admirer of him and all the work he puts in. I have worked side-by-side with him since I have been in the JUCO game and played him in first national tournament appearance here in Tyler in 2010, so we have known each other a long time and both been thriving for the same goal. He also hasn't won one yet, so he will be doing everything he can to get that championship, but we have nothing but respect for each other."

The game will be at 7 p.m. in Tyler, Texas and is available live online at njcaachampstv.com