FALCONS ON TOP OF REGION 8
10/24/16
Last night was an imperative match when the Daytona State College Falcons faced the Eastern Florida State College Titans at the Titan Soccer Complex in Melbourne, Florida. The Titans have never lost at their home field to an NJCAA opponent in 4 years; but that all changed last night when the first-year program Falcons defeated them 4-1 to move back into 1st place in Region 8.
The Falcons got on the board in the 19th minute when Joe O'Sullivan drew a penalty after being fouled by Titans keeper Bryce Notardonato. Calm and collected, freshman Ryan Sandidge stepped up and placed the ball in the back of the net. Shortly after, the Titans capitalized on a simple mistake from the Falcons, making the score 1-1. With the Falcons dominating the remainder of the half and only 1-minute left in play, freshman Jahnazae Swan scored a volley off of a cross from sophomore and captain Tyler Hall.
The Falcons didn't stop there though. With an inspiring halftime speech from head coach Bart Sasnett, the Falcons came out firing on all cylinders. After playing disciplined defense for 20 minutes, Tyler Hall beat a defender and threaded a pass to freshman Ryan Goldsmith, who then beat the last defender and the keeper, sliding the ball into the back of the net. This made for Hall's second assist of the match.
Up 3-1 with momentum going their way, the Falcons put one more goal in on the Titans to seal the game. Tyler Hall once again beat his defender and crossed the ball to find the foot of sophomore Quam Salami who struck the ball with pace into the back of the net. This was Hall's third assist of the match.
"Tyler came out huge for us tonight," said Sasnett. "Three assists in one match is a program record for us. When he turns it on and comes to play, he can be very lethal to the opposing team," says Sasnett.
The Falcons sit at the top of Region 8 in 1st place while holding 12th place in the NJCAA. They are on the road to face Broward College on Wednesday the 26th. A win from Daytona State College will solidify them for 1st place in Region 8, making them the #1 seed