Da Silva comes up big for Titan women's soccer team on Sophomore Night

Freshman Nathali Da Silva made sure that Thursday night was a special one for the four Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team sophomores.

Da Silva scored twice in the second half as the Titans fought back from an early deficit to post a 2-1 victory over Daytona State College in a Region 8 Conference game.

Following the win, head coach Jeff Carr recognized sophomores Jay Bales, Paula Astiazaran, Bunny Shaw and Darien Davis for their accomplishments both on and off the field. The four players have helped the Titans to a combined 27-3 record overall and a perfect 10-0 in the conference heading into the regular season final at Daytona State College Monday night.

"It won't get any easier but it is good to get the win tonight, especially on Sophomore Night after what this team has gone through," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Jeff Carr said. "Paula … what she has meant to this team even after she went down with an ACL injury, her mother passing away five weeks ago, she is just an inspiration to everyone, me included. Her strength is unbelievable. Bunny has lost two relatives in the past month. Her playing the way she did tonight was emotional and inspirational to this team. Jay puts in the work every single day, every single practice. She leaves it all on the field. And Darien with her speed and enthusiasm, she has been tremendous. These four sophomores are very special."

And on Thursday night Da Silva started the game, but came out early in the first half, tears in her eyes as she could not stop thinking about her brother, who was in an accident and is in a coma.

"I was down, but my team was behind me and helped me tonight. I am glad I could come back out and score two goals for them," Da Silva said.

The first goal came 14 minutes into the second half on a strike from outside the box that she admits she was not planning to take.

"I was going to pass to Darien, but Buns (Bunny Shaw) was yelling no, take the shot. She knows better. I have learned from the best," Da Silva said with a smile.

The freshman now has 11 goals this season for the Titans.

"What she's going through with her brother in a coma as we speak, just unbelievable inspiration to all of us and she almost had a third goal. She was special," Carr said. "We only had one sub tonight so to battle like we did ... they left it all on the field tonight so kudos to them."