Eastern Florida Men’s Soccer Awaits Today’s Darton College Re-Match

By  //  October 4, 2013

match set for 7 p.m.

BREVARD COUNTY — Eastern Florida State College’s men’s soccer team hosts Darton College at 7 p.m. Friday in a re-match that could serve as a preview of the postseason and the road to the NJCAA Division I national tournament.

Justin-Gavin-388
Eastern Florida State College’s men’s soccer team hosts Darton College at 7 p.m. Friday in a re-match that could serve as a preview of the postseason and the road to the NJCAA Division I national tournament. (EFSC image)

Eastern Florida, ranked seventh nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and the NJCAA, defeated Darton 4-3 on its home field in Albany, GA on Sept. 6 when the Cavaliers were ranked second.

Darton is 9-1, and again ranked second. It is expected to be the No. 1 seed heading into the Region 17 playoffs in Georgia beginning Oct. 29. Eastern Florida is 7-1 and possessing a postseason berth. It most likely will enter the Region 17 playoffs as the fifth seed, meeting the No. 4 seed on Oct. 29.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout on Friday night,” said Eastern Florida head coach Oliver Twelvetrees whose first-year team is on a six-match winning streak.

Oliver Twelvetrees
Oliver Twelvetrees

Admission to the match on the Melbourne Campus is free.

“The lads have worked hard to get this far and realize much more work needs to be done, starting with Darton,” Twelvetrees added. “A loud crowd behind us would be a great help.”

Eastern Florida’s success to date has been a team effort from an offense that has scored 24 goals and a defense that has allowed 10.

And defending will be vital on Friday with Darton freshman Darwin Espinal – who scored twice against the Titans on Sept. 6 – leading the nation in goals with 17 and in points with 39.

Darton has scored 42 goals and allowed nine.

Freshman Jordan Muir leads the Titans in scoring with six goals and six assists.

“I expect an intense, tightly played game with both sides pushing forward and both defenses digging in and being stout,” Twelvetrees said.

“It will be a great intercollegiate soccer game that will provide a preview of what lies ahead in the postseason.”