Women ’ s Soccer Team Scores
FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
THE EASTERN FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE WOMEN ’ S SOCCER TEAM claimed the first NJCAA Division I National Championship in program history this past November .
The Titans had been to the national tournament the last nine seasons and have been one of the top seeds in the tournament many times , but this Titans team found a way to overcome the obstacles and claim the national title .
Eastern Florida State College had lost in the semifinals the past four seasons but after losing in the first round in overtime , the team responded with a 2-0 win over Hill College and then beat Seminole State College ( OK ) 3-0 in the semifinals to reach the championship game for the third time in program history .
They took advantage of the opportunity , defeating Tyler Junior College 1-0 to win the title and end the Apaches ’ two-year reign . Tyler Junior College had won 52 games in a row and beaten the Titans in the semifinals in three of the past four seasons .
“ It is unbelievable . I heard John Wooden once say when asked about winning that the coach with the best players will win , and today we had the best players ,” Eastern Florida State College women ’ s soccer coach Scott Carswell said after winning the title .
The lone goal was scored by Lena Stevens in the first half , scoring on a penalty kick after teammate Laura Cetina was taken down in the box . Stevens ’ goal was not only the game winner , but the first goal scored by an EFSC player in the championship game .
From there the Titans ’ experienced defense took over , not allowing Tyler to get many looks and when they did goalkeeper Marcelle Thedinga made the save , finishing with five .
The back line of Lydia Carroll , Marthe Taugbol , Sofie Sorum and Jessica DeBiasse kept an offense that came into the game averaging 3.1 goals per game scoreless for the first time in over two years .
“ The defense has been tremendous ever since that first game in Utah . They fight for every ball and never give up ,” Carswell said .
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