Women's soccer wins Pool C, advances to national tournament semifinals

The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament semifinals for the fourth straight year Saturday evening in Evans, Georgia.

The Titans defeated Laramie County Community College 4-1 to advance to the semifinals out of Pool C. Eastern Florida State College is 2-0 and have outscored opponents 13-2 at the tournament.

"It wasn't our best game as far as how we played technically and tactically but I thought the kids played hard and I am proud of them for carrying on the legacy of Eastern Florida State College women's soccer," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Scott Carswell said.

Laramie County tested the Titans defense early in the match but defenders Sofie Soerum, Marthe Taugbol, Jess DeBiasse and Brazil Clark were up to the challenge.

Taugbol put Eastern Florida State College on the board with a nice goal on a free kick, sliding it into the corner past a diving Laramie goalkeeper with 14:20 left in the first half.

10 minutes later Cara Young would score unassisted to make it 2-0.

Laramie County would cut the lead to 2-1 with a little over a minute left in the first half. 

Up 2-1, the Titans continued to hold Laramie County at bay and apply pressure on the Laramie County defense.

And with 28:25 left in the game Courtney Jade Butlion hit a nice corner kick that Clark put in the back of the net to extend the lead to 3-1. Alexia Spencer dribbled into the box and found an open Butlion who scored in the final 10 minutes to make it 4-1.

"The defense stepped up and scored goals for us tonight," Carswell said. "I think what we really have to figure out is how to replace Alba (Alvarez) if she can't play Monday."

Alvarez was injured during the win over Kansas City Kansas Community College.

The Titans will play Salt Lake Community College Monday night in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Salt Lake Community College defeated Seminole State College (OK) 3-3, 3-2 in penalty kicks to advance to the semifinals Thursday afternoon.