LAKELAND – Polk State Soccer's first home match in nearly three weeks was a successful one as the Eagles cruised past Pasco-Hernando State College on Monday, 11-0.
No. 16 Polk State (9-1) started slowly, but once it started scoring, it didn't stop.
Celine Ottah,
Marcella Koasne, and
Rachelle Caremus all scored multiple goals in the victory.
Ottah got the scoring started in the 29th minute before adding three more goals in less than a three-minute span in the second half. Ottah added an assist in the victory. After scoring two goals in Saturday's 5-2 win over Daytona State College, Koasne bested that on Monday with a hat trick and an assist.
"I feel like I'm pushing myself more as we get into it," Koasne said. "I'm doing this for the people I love back home (in Brazil) and for my teammates. I have a lot of motivation."
Caremus also had a career-day, scoring two goals – her first two of the season – and adding two assists.
Emma Parrish scored her first career goal in the 79th minute.
Raisa Lugo scored her team-leading 17th in the victory.
Eight of the Eagles' goals came after halftime. Lugo,
Kayla Banks, and
Logan Fernandez also added assists in the win.
Polk State finished with 27 shots to 12 for Pasco-Hernando.
Krystal Cruz had two saves for the Eagles. Athena Peterson recorded a match-high seven saves for the Bobcats in the loss. Polk State took all three meetings with Pasco-Hernando this season with the victories coming by a combined 29-1 margin.
After playing its second match in three days, Polk State will have another short turnaround. No. 1 Eastern Florida State College comes to Lakeland on Wednesday. The reigning national champion Titans handed the Eagles their lone loss of the season last week in a 3-2 thriller in Melbourne.
"I've really excited that we've been able to continue to gain momentum as the season has progressed," Polk State Head Coach Jess Belli said. "Our goal is to be the best Polk State team ever and we bring that mentality every time we take the field."
