Box Score LAKELAND — Even with a litany of injuries, Polk State Soccer has proven that it can stand toe to toe with the nation's best. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they came up short on Tuesday in their second straight match against a top-five team.

After falling at No. 4 Daytona State College on Saturday, the Eagles were on the short end of a 1-0 score against No. 5 Eastern Florida State College. The defeat served as the first for Polk State (4-2, 0-2 Region 8) at home since a 2-0 loss to the Titans in the 2021 regular season finale.

For more than 00 minutes, the contest was scoreless. Eastern Florida State finally broke through on a goal from Mia Lewis. Kamara Simmons assisted on the match's lone goal.

"Despite a host of injuries, our team played with a lot of courage and determination," Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. "We had our chances with corners and free kicks but just couldn't finish. We will regroup and fight again another day."

Eastern Florida State outshot the Eagles, 15-6. Polk State goalkeeper Ella Sebree made a number of key saves to keep the Eagles within striking distance. 

Already without a number of key players, including leading scorer Lovelie Pierre, insult was added to injury on Tuesday when standout defender Aleyshka Orellano was ejected after a second yellow card. In addition to Pierre, the Eagles will also be without Peyton Battilla and Kadence Rinaldo for the remainder of the year.

For Polk State to have any chance of repeating as Region 8 champions, it will have to beat Daytona State and Eastern Florida State in the second meetings between the schools and have those two programs split their two matchups. The Eagles will try to end a mini two-match skid when they host Florida National University JV on Friday. Match time is set for 11 a.m.