The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team is heading back to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament after a 1-0 victory over Louisburg Saturday night in the Southeast District Tournament in Milledgeville, Georgia.
The Titans will play host Georgia Military in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Sunday but both teams have qualified for the national tournament. It is the third time head coach Oliver Twelevetrees has led a Titans teams to the national tournament.
"We are really happy, back in the national tournament for the third time in six years," Twelvetrees said.
Freshman midfielder Marc Grifell gave the Titans the lead in the 23rd minute on a free kick that slipped through the wall and past the Louisburg goalkeeper for his second goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Nour Moaoui had several big saves in the first half to make sure the Titans held onto the 1-0 lead.
The second half saw both teams make runs but neither could find the back of the net. In the final 10 minutes Louisburg had a couple of good looks, but the defense was up to the task to preserve the win and send the Titans to the Southeast District championship game and to the national tournament.
"Fantastic effort tonight, it really just defined our season, that is who we are this season. We are a hard-working team, we are going to fight and battle for every loose ball," Twelvetrees said. "The heart and the mind of making good decisions at the right times was there today and that is why we are going back to nationals."
The Titans will play host Georgia Military at 2:30 p.m. Saturday for the Southeast District championship. Both teams will compete in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament Nov. 12-17 at Daytona State College.