Women's soccer team opens national tournament Monday evening
The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team is poised to make another run in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament.
The Titans come into the tournament averaging close to six goals per game and have given up more than one goal only twice all season. In three postseason games, the Titans outscored opponents 16-4 to advance to the national tournament for the sixth straight season.
Eastern Florida State College will open the tournament at 5:30 p.m. Monday against Iowa Western who have been red hot after losing the first five games of the season. The Reivers advanced to the national tournament by edging Indian Hills in penalty kicks in the Region XI final.
Region 8 Payer of the Year Katie Lockwood leads a balanced scoring attack with 16 goals and 11 assists. Teammate Nathali Da Silva heads into the national tournament with 15 goals and 12 assists.
In the postseason, Region 8 Freshman of the Year Ebony Wiseman and Da Silva each have five goals while Lockwood has scored four times in the three games.
Nine players have at least three goals for Iowa Western this season but it has been the defense that has led the Reivers to Titan Soccer Complex this season. After allowing 20 goals in the first five games, all losses, Iowa Western has allowed just six goals in the past 12 games.
Monday evening will be the first meeting between the two teams who have had success in the tournament. The Titans were in the fina in 2015 while Iowa Western won the title in 2013 and were in the final in 2014.
Tickets can be purchased at Titan Soccer Complex gate beginning Monday. An all-matches pass is $35 for adults and $15 for students. Individual match admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students. Children 5 and under, free. College students must present school ID.
The NJCAA is livestreaming all tournament matches through a pay-per-view plan at njcaatv.com and the NJCAA offers four pricing options.
The Eastern Florida State College 5:30 p.m. matches on Mon., Nov. 13 and Wed., Nov. 15 will be broadcast live on WEFS-TV and available via the station's @easternflorida YouTube Channel at no charge.