Women's soccer team's defense standing out at national tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team's defense has been making things difficult on opposing teams for much of the year.

And since the beginning of postseason, that defense has been up to the challenge, recording five shutouts and allowed just two goals in the six games heading into Saturday afternoon's NJCAA Division I National Championship Game in Wichita, Kansas.

"It is a trust thing. I trust them all and we communicate well and respect each other. It just works, we can talk to each other without talking to each other and I feel a lot of teams miss that on defense and that is why we have been so successful. We have each other's backs, no matter what," center back Cali Stranz said. "We are just doing the best that we can. We don't think about stats, the semifinal was a good game but hard mentally."

More surprising is that the only defender that has played her position all season is Sofia Posner. Everyone else has been put there because of injuries and excelled once given the opportunity.

Stranz was the left back, but when Tiggi Gent was hurt and Lea Monteiro had to miss time, she moved to center back and has excelled. Monteiro has been the other center back but Hannah Atchison and Taylor Mason have also started at times.

When Stranz moved to center back, Mia Lewis went from a wing to left back and has solidified that side of the field for the Titans.

"I have been amazed at how well we have been able to gel because we have had so many injuries on defense," Posner said. "Everyone has played so well and it is amazing. Mia wasn't a defender but when she got back there, I feel like we just got that much better."

No matter who is on the field, the defense has been strong from the beginning of the season as they have allowed just nine goals all year.

"You believe in your team but when you really see us go through all the changes we have on defense and haven't really had any hiccups, we have been able to adjust to everything we have been hit with, it just blows my mind how well we play together and trust each other. It goes back to the coaching staff and the structure that we have," Lewis said. "Every game it grows, we can see how much we fight for each other and we can see the passion in the game for each other – like everything, soccer is about trust and one of our biggest qualities is the trust we have for each other all over the field."

The one consistent piece to that end of the field has been goalkeeper Lauren Pastor. The freshman from Paris, France has been a big addition this season with 11 shutouts and a 064 goals against average which is eighth best in the nation.

And the defenders can not say enough about what Pastor brings to the team.

"It is such a breath of fresh air knowing she is behind us, I have so much trust and confidence in her," Posner said.

Lewis added that if the Titans do allow a goal, it actually feels wrong.

"I don't think Lauren can do anything wrong – she trusts us as well, she feels safe with us as much as we feel safe with her," Lewis said."

But Stranz took it a step further, calling Pastor the security.

"Before every single game I give her a hug and I tell her 'you are my security' I know I am the last defender back but you are the last person back and I know that you are not going to let it go in,' " Stranz said. "I trust her 100 percent and I don't know that I have ever trusted a player as much as her. Especially on free kicks and set pieces, if it goes over my head, I just know she is behind me."

It is that trust between the back line that has made things so difficult on opposing attackers and has the Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team on the cusp of their second national title in three seasons.