Women's soccer team faces Arizona Western in National Tournament semifinals
The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team is back in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament semifinals for the seventh straight season.
The No. 4 seed Titans advanced after defeating Barton Community College and Tyler Junior College in pool play.
Now they turn their attention to Arizona Western who has had a couple of exciting games in Pool C play, defeating both Navarro and Monroe Community College in penalty kicks.
Both games were tied 1-1 through both overtimes, sending it to penalty kicks to decide a winner. And in both instances, Arizona Western was able to celebrate. In fact, the Matadors have scored on nine of the 11 penalty kicks they have taken.
Eastern Florida State College has allowed just two goals in the tournament, both coming in a five-minute span of the second half against Tyler Junior College. Goalkeeper Lauren Pastor recorded the shutout against Barton Community College in the opener and has 14 saves in the two games.
Eastern Florida State College comes in on a five-game win streak and won Pool D with two one-goal victories as four different players have scored in the tournament.
"This team just wants it. We had some hiccups early in the season, but they have their mentality right now and we have a great coaching staff and great administration that supports us. Virginia, our sports psychologist, has really made a difference this season. It has been a great turnaround," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Scott Carswell said.
The Titans will be tested in the semifinal as the Matadors came into the tournament as one of the top scoring teams in the country with 110 goals. While they have scored an average of six goals per game this season, the defense has been up to the challenge as they have not allowed more than two goals in any game this season and have allowed one goal in each of the first two tournament games.
Thursday's semifinal game will begin at 1:30 p.m. EST and will be shown live on ESPN+ from Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas.