EFSC's Morgan Gamin helping women's soccer team excel again this season

Eastern Florida State College women's soccer player Morgan Gamin has always had a passion for the game.

It all started when she was just seven years old playing in a recreational league in Satellite Beach. Gamin remembers slide-tackling kids.

Suddenly, a coach came up to her family and said he was starting a new club team and could use someone of her talent.

"I was only seven. It was a little ridiculous looking back on it, but it is funny," Gamin said.

She would play on that club team, the Indialantic Force, for most of her younger years, moving to Beachside Impact for her final season. Gamin would score 40 career goals at Satellite High School.

"I played the 9. It was my glory days. I miss those days, but I am enjoying playing at this level," Gamin said.

The sophomore is leading the team in goals scored in her second season with the Titans with seven goals in nine games as a starting forward. She started just three games as a freshman but played in 10 games and scored twice.

"I was definitely worried with the transition from high school to college soccer because I knew it was going to be a different style and level of play, but my teammates helped me get prepared during my freshman year and they really showed me the ropes and got me prepared," Gamin said.

"I have played with a bunch of these players and also played against a bunch of these players, it is cool to see them go from my rivals to my teammates. And with the international players, it is a whole different style. I love it, it is one big family at the end of the day."

That family atmosphere has the team 6-2-1 this season and ranked No. 8 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll. In the two seasons Gamin has been with the Titans they are 19-5 and made it to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament semifinals last season.

"So far, so good. We have a lot of new talent on the field this year and it is amazing how we can have players come in and out and make such an impact. It has been really nice," Gamin said of the team's depth. "We had such a good season last year that we have big shoes to fill this year.

"I think every team needs a loss to kind of build up again and get the ball rolling. It shows us that we have to put the work in if we want the results."

One of the biggest perks for Gamin playing her college soccer games at home is that her family gets to watch her.

"I love when my family can come to the games, even my grandparents who live in Daytona. They love to go to games at Daytona," Gamin said. "I love having my family around. Family is really big for me. My brother is in Tallahassee going to school and he was able to come to the games in Georgia and Panama City. I love the support that they are able to give me."

And on Wednesday evening, they will be in the stands as the No. 8 Titans will be back at Orlando Health Stadium to host No. 4 Daytona State College at 7 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast live on WEFS-TV, locally on channel 9 or 455 on Spectrum, 68 on DirecTV, 30 on Dish and 68 on AT&T Uverse.

It is a key Region 8 Conference matchup that will help decide who will win the conference regular season title and be the top seed in the conference tournament.

"It is really cool to have this kind of program here. I have lived 20 minutes from the college my entire life and even before I decided to come here I was watching them win a national title. I was like 'Wow, what an accomplishment,' " Gamin said.

Now, Gamin and the Titans will be trying to make history of their own as they aim for a postseason spot again. The women's soccer program has been to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament 12 straight seasons and been to the final four six straight years.

Wednesday night is another big step toward getting back to the national tournament and trying to win another ring.

WEDNESDAY'S GAME

No. 8 EFSC women's soccer team vs. No. 4 Daytona State College

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Orlando Health Stadium, EFSC Melbourne campus

Admission: Free

TV: WEFS-TV locally and also online at EFSC Titans YouTube page