Box Score MELBOURNE, Fla. -- No. 20 Polk State Soccer gave No. 1 Eastern Florida State College all it could handle in the Region 8 opener for both teams on Wednesday night. The Eagles led the match twice before a second-half surge by the Titans handed Polk a 3-2 defeat -- its first of the season.
 
"These women who play for Polk State Soccer mean so much to me," said Polk State Head Coach Jess Belli.
 
Polk State (7-1, 0-1 Region 8) struck first in the 14th minute when freshman midfielder Celine Ottah buried her seventh goal of the season off a ball from sophomore forward Jillian Johnson. 
 
The Titans found the equalizer with just over 14 minutes to go in the first half via a score by Nancy Almanza. However, the Eagles retaliated in the 35th minute, as sophomore forward Raisa Lugo netted her Region 8-leading 15th goal of the season off another delivery from Johnson. Johnson now has a Region 8-best 11 assists on the year.
 
Polk State took a 2-1 advantage into the half, but Eastern Florida State was able to knot things back up 2-2 in the 49th minute off a deep shot from Kailey Dunne.
 
With 7:02 remaining in regulation, Laura Cetina scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season to put the Titans ahead for the first time in the contest and for good 3-2. Polk sophomore goalkeeper Krystal Cruz finished with a season-high five saves in the contest.
 
"We need to make some tactical adjustments," Belli added. "We will grow and learn from this. We are excited to see them again."
 
The Eagles continue Region 8 play on Saturday, as they travel to take on No. 13 Daytona State College. The match begins at 7 p.m.