Garriga named Region 8 Player of the Year, Miller the Freshman of Year

Eastern Florida State College women's soccer player Cristina Garriga was named the Region 8 Player of the Year.

Garriga, who was one of seven players honored by the region, scored 11 goals and had 10 assists for the Titans who are heading to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament for the seventh straight season.

"I am very proud of Cristina as she has worked very hard this year and was very deserving of Region 8 player of the year as voted on by the coaches," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Jeff Carr said. "Cristina helped us win the regular season conference championship and the tournament championship, leading all players in goals scored in Region 8 games."

Morgan Miller was named the Region 8 Freshman of the Year as the midfielder has scored eight times this season including two game-winning goals.

"I was very excited for Morgan Miller being voted freshman of the year. Morgan has played several positions this year and has excelled at any position she plays, her work ethic and energy on the pitch is second to none," Carr said.

Sophomore Klesha Darroux and freshman Beatrice Gards were also named to the first team. Darroux scored eight goals and had eight assists while Gards was one of the leaders on the defense for the Titans who are 14-2-1 and won both the Region 8 and the Southeast District championships.

Head coach Jeff Carr was named Coach of the Year for the third time.

Freshmen trio of Alexis Peri, Emily Bodi and Aida Illas were named to the second team.

"I am very thrilled that seven players were chosen to be first or second team as they were all deserving of their honors and I wished more of our players could have been recognized as everyone was a key to our success this year," Carr said.

It is the fifth straight season that the Region 8 Player of the Year has been a member of the Titans. Eastern Florida State College will open the national tournament in Foley, Alabama next Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. against Laramie County Community College.