Daytona Beach, FL- With the help of a sensational goal from sophomore forward Wakaba Kogure (Tokyo, Japan) in the 74^th minute, the Falcons women's soccer team earned their first Region 8 victory of the 2023 season on Saturday over the visiting Polk State Eagles by a score of 3-1.

Kogure scored her third and fourth goal of the season — and the first goal of the game — just twenty-two minutes into the match. Arianna Kinsley (Estero, FL) contributed another in the 38^th minute of play. The Falcons would score an own goal in the 62^nd minute of play as the ball careened off the back of sophomore defender, Dejionee Anderson (Passegefort, Jamaica) in an attempt to block a long shot.  This was the first goal scored against the Falcons in the 2023 season.  Kogure would score her final goal on a header from a corner kick delivered by freshman, Thea Oberhoff (Bremen, Germany).

Aided by one save from goalkeeper Emma Broch Laursen (Randers, Denmark), the Falcons recorded their eighth win of the 2023 campaign.

Head coach Hope H. Clark commended the depth of the Falcons' roster this year, emphasizing significant contributions from first years competing in their first collegiate season. "We are strong in every position and that has been reflected in the number of players contributing to every game, I have been impressed with the freshmen stepping in straight away to the level of the college game and know that they will only grow in experience as the season goes on."

The No. 4 Falcons (8-0) controlled the match from start to finish. Daytona State led in shots 18-3, and shots on goal 9-1.

Up Next the Falcons will take on No. 7 Monroe College Sunday, October 1^st at the Daytona State Soccer Complex at 6:00pm.