Nancy Almanza playing well for women's soccer team

The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team has been playing some of their best soccer the past couple of weeks.

Sophomore Nancy Almanza believes a big reason for the run goes back to a couple of road losses earlier this year.

"It is funny but losing really did help us, we needed that," Almanza said. "After losing and coming back to win the Region 8 title really changed the team, both mentally and physically. I see us as a totally different team than we were in New York and Texas. We have grown a lot."

The left wing is a big reason for that growth as she has scored six goals in the past four games for the Titans including the lone goal Sunday night against Barton Community College.

Late in a scoreless game, Ana Alvarez Garcia struck a free kick and Almanza leaped up and headed it into the back of the net.

"Ana gives the perfect cross ball so I knew it was the perfect opportunity to score and I just told myself I have to get to the ball first, but Ana's cross was so perfect and I was able to get my head on it," Almanza said. "It is funny, big games like these motivate me to get to the ball first and finish. I want to win my battles and help this team win."

And they have been winning as the Titans have won four straight and six of the past seven games heading into a big matchup with Tyler Junior College Tuesday night.

Tyler Junior College won the meeting earlier this season 2-1 but Almanza thinks the team will be more prepared this time.

"I think just playing them has made us more comfortable, they came out hard and so did we but I think when we saw them go a little harder, we took a step back and we have told ourselves that we can beat them, we just have to be mentally tougher," Almanza said.

A win will put the Titans back in the national tournament semifinals for the seventh straight season.

"I think a lot about last year's national tournament and losing in the semifinals because we were so close," Almanza said. "Looking back, I can't say I wish I had done anything differently, but now that I have another chance, this team is so good and we have so much talent, we have a really good chance."

As she thinks about these past two seasons, Almanza can only smile as she was hoping to go play Division I soccer right out of high school, but it didn't work out and so she ended up at Eastern Florida State College.

"Honestly looking back, I was upset at first, but I wouldn't change anything. I love Eastern, I love the girls, I love this team," Almanza said.

Almanza had a big freshman season, scoring 10 goals and the team reached the national tournament semifinals. But it wasn't the kind of season she was hoping for, so she came in this season with some goals in mind.

"It is indescribable, I have never been able to win any big final or championship and last year we had a good season, but this year we were the Region 8 champions, then we went to Georgia and won the Southeast District. It is such a good feeling to win with this team," Almanza said.

She hopes those winning ways continue Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. EST.

Fans can watch the game live online at the NJCAA Network for $12. The semifinals and finals will be shown on ESPN+.