Men's soccer team wins Region 8 title with 1-0 victory

The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team clinched the Region 8 Championship Saturday night with a 1-0 victory over Daytona State College at Orlando Health Stadium on the Melbourne campus.

It was the first time in two seasons that the Titans have won the Region 8 title and will advance to the Southeast District play-in game next Saturday at Orlando Health Stadium.

"That was the first objective in coming here, so we have that checked off, it is amazing," Eastern Florida State College men's soccer coach Adam Butler said. "We talked about it this week and knew it was going to be a one-goal team, we are both really good teams and sometimes it doesn't resemble good soccer because both teams are so good."

The Titans broke the scoreless tie in the 82^nd minute as Mukisa Emmanuel makes a great run, takes a pass in stride from Siphesilhe Maseko and stops, hits a bullet into the corner of the net to give the Titans the lead.

"I am so happy I was able to score the goal," Emmanuel said. "It was a counter-attack, I broke and Sheezy got me the ball, I stayed on my feet and was able to look up and found the goal."

The first half saw the teams battle to a scoreless tie as each side had some good opportunities. It looked as if the Titans would take the lead in the first half with just under eight minutes left. Dabniele Verdirosi hits a corner kick that Emmanuel hit but a Daytona State College defender headed a sure goal back into play.

The second half would see Eastern Florida State College's Daiki Okada dominate play at the wing position as the Titans had nine shots in the first 10 minutes of play. But the Daytona State College defense was up to the challenge.

With 25 minutes left in the contest it was the Falcons turn as Carlos Zambrano had two really good chances, just missing the first and then hitting a shot that went off the crossbar.

Eastern Florida State College goalkeeper Kodai Tsuzuki finished with the clean sheet, recording five saves.

The Titans improved to 12-1 on the season and will advance to the Southeast District Tournament, hosting Southern Union State College on Oct. 28.