Men's soccer team defeats Daytona State in conference opener

The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team opened the Region 8 Conference season with a victory over No. 4 Daytona State College Wednesday night.

After a two and a half hour rain delay, the two teams hit a wet field with the rain still falling and posted a 3-1 victory against No. 4 Daytona State College at Orlando Health Stadium in a game that ended shortly after midnight.

"It was well worth the wait, we have been good in training and they were fantastic tonight," Eastern Florida State College men's soccer coach Adam Butler said. "They were cramping up out there and had gone to their limits and really showed what they are capable of."

The Titans got on the board first late in the first half as Junior Smith took a shot that the Daytona State goalkeeper knocked away but Jack Nelson was there, putting it in the back of the net with six minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the first half.

The goal was the seventh of the season for Nelson who has now scored in each of the past three games for the Titans.

It looked like Daytona State College may get the equalizer four minutes later, but Titans goalkeeper Jorge Ortega made a nice kick save with under three minutes left in the half to keep the shutout.

The second half began much like the first half but with 18:04 left Daytona State College would tie the game 1-1.

The game would only be tied for a few minutes as Junior Smith makes a diving header after a nice cross to make it 2-1.

Once again it looked like the Falcons could tie it back up but defender Hayden Wood headed a shot back out of the box and ended the threat.

 The Titans would lock up the victory with 4:45 let in the contest as Jaidon Seldon makes a nice move and crosses it in front of the goal where Junior Smith is, scoring his second of the day and giving the Titans a 3-1 lead.

It was the first multiple-goal game for Smith who now has four on the season.

"To get a win against a top opponent is always special, to do it at home and under these circumstances with the weather and the delay - and to still have the fans out here watching us and being really loud - I think we are on a good path and trajectory," Butler said.

The victory gives the Titans an early lead in the Region 8 Conference and was the first loss of the season for the Falcons.

The Titans will head to Daytona State College to play No. 6 Monroe College in a doubleheader next Tuesday evening. The top-ranked women's soccer team will play No. 7 Monroe College at 5 p.m. with the men facing No. 6 Monroe College at 7 p.m.