EFSC's Kurumi Arakawa named NJCAA First Team All-American

Eastern Florida State College women's soccer player Kurumi Arakawa is named an NJCAA Division I First Team All-American.

Arakawa is the lone selection from the Titans who won the NJCAA Division I National Championship at Daytona State College earlier this month.

The midfielder from Tochigi, Japan played both holding and attacking midfield for the Titans this season, scoring two goals.

"I was surprised, I really thought some of my teammates would be on the list, I was kind of surprised, but I am so happy," Arakawa said. "When I saw my name, I started shaking. I did not expect it, I really hoped I would be named but I did not expect it. I was so happy."

The Titans had a season to remember, winning the regular season, then won the Region 8 Championship title for the 11th straight season before cruising in the South Atlantic final to make the national tournament.

"I just think about the season and it has been a pretty crazy season," Arakawa said. "We started the season by losing in Utah, then we finish the regular season winning the rest. Then we start the national tournament with a loss and then finish with a win – I think about it all and I could cry, it is so special."

The sophomore is the 10^th NJCAA first team All-American in program history and the Titans have now had a first team All-American the past three seasons. It is her second season making an All-America team, being named to the United Soccer Coaches First Team last season.