Andrew Tew, Polk State College, contributed to this article

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 30, 2022) - Top-seed Polk State College rode a goal from Lovelie Pierre in the 68th minute to claim a 1-0 victory over Daytona State College to win the Region 8 women's soccer championship.

With the win, Polk State advances to the NJCAA South Atlantic District Championship Match vs. Spartanburg Methodist College. The match will be played at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 5 in Spartanburg, S.C.

The No. 3 seed in the Region 8 Tournament, Daytona State upset No. 2 Eastern Florida State on Friday night to earn the opportunity to play the region championship on its home field. The Falcons had opportunities on Sunday night, but the contest was largely dominated by top-seeded Polk State.

Polk State finished with 19 shots and 11 on goal to 14 shots and nine on goal for the Falcons. Polk State goalkeeper Sophia Nicholls came up with seven saves, including a critical diving stop late in the contest for the Eagles.

In a still scoreless match, Pierre headed in a long pass from Jillian Johnson to break the tie in the 68th minute. The assist was Johnson's nation-leading 21st of the year. 

It was the Falcons who ended Polk State's season in the Region 8 semifinals last season by a 2-1 score in overtime. Entering this season, the Eagles had never defeated Daytona State on the Falcons' home field. Polk State took all three meetings with the Falcons this season, including two in Daytona Beach. Polk State won 5-2 in its first visit to Daytona Beach on Oct. 8 before a pair of 1-0 contests –one in Lakeland and one on Sunday – decided by Pierre match-winners.

Prior to Sunday night, Polk State had not won a regional championship since 2009.