Jay Bales has helped Titans get back in national tournament, hoping to walk off with title

When Jay Bales decided to stay close to home and attend Eastern Florida State College, she never imagined what the next two years would hold in store for her.

The Palm Bay High graduate has started every game in her career with the Titans women's soccer team and in those 33 games, she has only walked off Titan Soccer Complex without a result once and just three times in her career.

"When you are in high school getting recruited you really don't think about going to national tournaments and playing in front of all your family and friends," Bales said. "To be taking trips on planes with teammates that are now like family members, it is all just a great growing experience and I am lucky enough to be home and get to experience it with my close family here and grow with these new girls from all over the world and learn about their lives. It is a great experience and I am lucky to be a part of such a great program."

This season Bales is one of three sophomores and is a leader in the midfield for the Titans, who clinched a spot in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament with a 5-3 win over Jones County Junior College on Saturday night.

Last season Bales and the Titans finished just short of a national championship, falling in the final 1-0 and a return has been the goal all season.

She has helped the program win two conference titles, two district titles and a 3-1 record in the national tournament, but she wants more.

"I really, really want to beat last year's second-place finish – winning this thing would mean so much to me and I know we can do it," said Bales who has six assists this season. "We have the talent and it is just a matter of putting in the work and executing our game plan."

Bales and the Titans will host the national championship tournament again this season, beginning Nov. 14 – something that is not lost on the sophomore.

"All the games are played at home and that is exciting for me and my family and friends," said Bales who always has a large contingent of fans in the stands for home games. "It is great to have them here and experiencing this with me."