Titan women's soccer team opens season with tough win over Butler

Darien Davis picked the perfect time to score her first goal for the No. 1 Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team, lifting the Titans to a 3-2 victory over No. 2 Butler Community College late Friday night.

In a game that was delayed more than an hour twice, Davis hit a rocket into the far post corner with 21 minutes remaining to give the Titans a 3-2 lead.

"It was a rocky back and forth game with the rain and lightning twice. I just knew we had to score, tried to keep the ball in our half and I just took the shot," Davis said.

Paula Astiazaran scored the first goal of the season for the Titans in the 19^th minute after a handball in the box gave the Titans a penalty kick. Astiazaran easily converted and Eastern Florida was on the board.

The Titans would take a 2-0 lead on a nice run by Davis sprung Nathali DaSilva free and she beat the keeper for a 2-0 lead after the first 31 minutes.

Butler Community College would respond 31 seconds later as Lauren Allen cut the lead to 2-1. The Grizzlies would tie the game two minutes into the second half on a Kennedy Weaver goal.

The Grizzlies had all the momentum in the contest but were held in check until the second delay.

"We gave them all the hope in the world but the lightning delay was actually kind of helpful, we gained our composure and played a lot better in the final 26 minutes," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Jeff Carr said. "Darien came up with a big-time goal."

The Titans will host No. 13 Johnson County Community College on Friday night at 8 p.m. Butler Community College will be back on the Titan Soccer Complex field Sunday morning, facing Broward Community College at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Parsons, Manager, Athletic Communications

Office: 321-433-5700   Cell: 321-626-1419   Email: parsonsm@easternflorida.edu