Men's soccer team heads to Wichita on a roll

For the second straight season, the Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team is heading to Wichita, Kansas for the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.

In early October nobody was sure that a return trip was in the cards, but the Titans won their final six games including both the Region 8 and Southeast District titles to be one of the first teams to punch a ticket to the national tournament.

And the offense was a big reason why they are packing their bags. The Titans rank in the top 10 in the nation in both goals scored and goals scored per game this season. The 66 goals are eighth in the nation and the Titans average 3.47 goals per game this season which is ninth in the nation. And during the six-game win streak, Eastern Florida State College has scored 22 goals.

"If you look at our team, the starters come out and whoever comes in, there is not much difference," sophomore forward Mukisa Emmanuel said. "All of them can score goals and we keep demanding that from ourselves, we demand each other to always be that person to score and help the team win. There is no difference between the starters and the guys that come in."

Emmanuel leads the team with 10 goals this season, but six other players have at least four goals this season for the Titans and 18 players have scored at least once this season.

"Offensively we have some great players and are always a threat to score goals. I think offensively we are hoping to continue that next week," Eastern Florida State College men's soccer head coach Adam Butler said. "We have the ability to go out and put on a show, I would say we are an exciting team to watch. It is a great game if you are a neutral fan and heart raising if you are a fan of ours."

The team has scored at least three goals in four of the past six games and 11 times this season and have only been shut out once, a 0-0 tie against Eastern Oklahoma State College.

"Mukisa is the headliner in that show, he can do everything," Butler said. "He can score goals, play behind, link up play and is a great leader and person to have at the center of our team."

The sophomore from Mbale, Uganda has scored in seven of the 16 games and has now scored 17 times in his two seasons with the Titans.

But that is not what Emmanuel is focused on these days.

"I want to leave something to remember. Everyone is determined to win so we can make history. That is everything for me right now," Emmanuel said.

Emmanuel and the Titans will find out what seed they will be on Tuesday afternoon and the NJCAA Division I National Tournament will begin next Sunday at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas.