Women's soccer team on the road for big week of games

The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team hits the road for a couple of big games this week in Alabama.

The second-ranked Titans will face No. 3 Tyler Junior College Thursday night at 9 p.m. in Millbrook, Alabama. Then Eastern Florida State College will play LSU-Eunice on Saturday afternoon in Alabama.

"We are not quite where we want to be yet, this weekend will be a good test. We have a good win against a ranked Motlow squad and were OK against Pasco, scored some goals and now we will see what we do against Tyler," Eastern Florida State College women's soccer coach Scott Carswell said. "They are a perennial top four team, so it gives you a good idea of where you are. It is a good test of where you are on the season."

The Titans are 2-0 this season and have been led by freshman Lili Baidoe leads the offense with four goals and an assist this season.

"I am happy with the start, but I know there is room for improvement," Baidoe said. "This will be a challenge for us, but we are a good team as well. We are not going into the game worried about Tyler, we are focused about how we are going to play and how we are prepared and that we play the way we want to play."

The two teams met twice last season with each team winning once. The Titans won the last meeting at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament 3-2.

But the Titans have a much different team this season with seven players returning from last season's team.

"I feel like everybody is getting along real well, we are building connections with each other and learning to play with each other," Baidoe said. "I feel like it has taken a while to get comfortable with how everybody plays and what they like. I feel like as we play games and progress, we are getting more comfortable."

Goalkeeper Jessica Reiss has made four saves in the two shutouts this season as the Titans have outscored opponents 8-0 this season.

"We have been talking about mentality and work rate," Carswell said. "If we get down a goal, how do we react? Are they willing to fight and work and play 90 minutes against a top four team."