Box Score MELBOURNE – Once again, Polk State Soccer showed that it can hang with the nation's best. For the second match in a row, however, a late goal was the difference as the Eagles fell to another top-10 opponent.

After watching Daytona State College score the winning goal in the 87th minute on Saturday, Polk State (6-4, 0-4 Region 8) witnessed No. 8 Eastern Florida State College break a scoreless tie in the 85th minute in a 1-0 loss on Wednesday night. Each of Polk State's four losses this season have come to Region 8 opponents ranked in the top 10 nationally and three have come by a single goal.

"This was another valiant effort," Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. "I'm very proud of our team. They left everything out on the field."

Laura Di Mascio played the role of hero for the Titans. With Polk State goalkeeper Ryann Stephens away from the goal, she was able to loft one over her head and into the net for the lone goal of the evening.

In for an injured Ella Sebree, Stephens was outstanding, making a handful of saves throughout the night to keep the match even. She finished with nine saves in the loss.

Despite scoring just a single goal for the third time in as many matches against Polk State dating back to last season, the Titans dominated possession. With several key players out for the year, including leading scorer Lovelie Pierre, Tamara Iwashita, and Peyton Battilla, scoring opportunities were few and far between for the Eagles.

"In order to achieve great things, there's sometimes a suffering phase," Shivraman said. "This will not break us but will only make us stronger."

Polk State will leave the state of Florida for the first time this week as it plays its final two road matches of the year in Tennessee. The Eagles will visit Motlow State College on Friday night before taking on Pellissippi State Community College on Saturday.