Women's soccer team faces Jones County Friday for spot in national tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team is heading back to Ellsville, Mississippi to face Jones County State College Friday evening for a spot in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament.

The No. 4-ranked Titans won the Region 8 title Sunday night with a 5-3 win over Daytona State College and is one win away from a sixth straight appearance in the National Championship tournament. Eastern Florida State College comes into the matchup 10-2 on the season and is coming off a tournament in which they scored 12 goals in two games.

"We are really excited to represent Florida and play in the District Final against Jones County. (Head coach) Dolores (Deasley) has done a great job with her program," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Jeff Carr said. "Our game last year was a real battle and I expect nothing less this year as the winner advances to the national tournament."

Last season in the district championship Jones County led 1-0 at the half but Eastern Florida State College scored five goals in the second half to pick up the 5-3 win. In that game Nathali Da Silva scored three times and has 14 goals this season for the Titans.

In 2013 the Titans went to Ellsville and scored the 2-0 win in the district tournament. This season Jones County is 9-2-2 and unbeaten at home this season. The Bobcats advanced to the district championship with a 3-2 win over Holmes Community College in the Region 23 final.

The District H Championship will kick off at 5 p.m. CDT.