Box Score MELBOURNE – Polk State Soccer's reign as Region 8 champions will come to an end. Despite another valiant effort against a top-10 team, the Eagles again came up one goal short on Thursday night to No. 7 Daytona State College in the Region 8 Tournament semifinal, 2-1.

The Falcons got the scoring started in the 33rd minute, but as has been the case all year long, Polk State (9-5-1) refused to go quietly. The Eagles cashed in the 74th minute to draw even.

After Yerika Pereira was pulled down in the box, Grayce Kidwell converted the penalty kick for the equalizer. Seven minutes later, however, Akari Kishida found the back of the net to give Daytona State the lead and the eventual victory.

"We had a couple of good chances early on, but didn't convert," Polk State Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. "We got fantastic play from our defenders. The unique thing about this team is we battled until the end and that's what every coach dreams about. The 2023 Polk State Soccer team epitomized grit all year long."

After battling injury in recent weeks and for a good part of the year, Ella Sebree was back in goal for Polk State. Sebree gave a solid effort, finishing with nine saves in the defeat.

The Falcons finished with 14 shots to nine for Polk State. Perera led Polk State with three shots. Jessica Bailey, Perera, and Melissa Del Valle each added two.

While Daytona State moves on to face top-seeded Eastern Florida State College in the Region 8 Championship on Saturday night, the Eagles will settle for a winning season in Shivraman's first year. Each of Polk State's five losses came to Region 8 teams currently ranked in the top 10 in the NJCAA Poll. Despite a slew of injuries, four of those defeats came by a single goal.

"Losing is bitter," Shivraman added. "The taste doesn't suit me but I'm extremely proud of our team. They battled hard all year long."