Box Score LAKELAND — In case there was any doubt about Polk State Soccer's legitimacy as a contender in a loaded Region 8, that was erased on Tuesday night. The Eagles overcame an early deficit and a lengthy weather delay to down No. 6 Eastern Florida State College, 3-2.

For the second straight Region 8 match, Marie Narewski came through with a clutch goal in the 87th minute. With the score tied 2-2, Narewski took the feed from Janessa Crespo and found the back of the net for the winning score and her team-leading sixth goal in seven matches.

The Titans wasted no time taking the lead as Avery Bracher scored in the opening minute. Crespo answered in the 18th minute for the equalizer. Jordan Robert was credited with the assist.

Before the first-half buzzer sounded, the sound of thunder and crack of lightning delayed the contest for about 90 minutes. After a lengthy delay and halftime, Polk State (5-1-1, 1-0-1 Region 8) took its first lead on a goal scored by Natasha Muchakati and assisted by Paula Cortijo just six minutes into the second half.

Eastern Florida drew even in the 72nd minute on Aoife Farral's boot, thanks in part to sloppy play on the Eagles' end. With the teams clinging to what little daylight was left, Polk State found a way 15 minutes later to go in front for good and pick up its first win over a nationally ranked opponent since 2022.

Against one of the premier junior college programs in women's soccer, Polk State finished with 17 shots. In goal, Ashley Miller finished with eight saves.

Despite five losses by a single goal during the stretch and a draw last week against Miami Dade College, the victory is the first for Polk State over an NJCAA Region 8 Division I opponent since downing Daytona State in the 2022 Region 8 Championship.

"As coaches, we are so very proud of our team," Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. "They worked hard from the start to finish and again showed their resilience under pressure. Our kids played with their hearts and represented our school and community with so much class."

After playing six of its first seven matches at home, the Eagles will hit the road for the next seven matches. They will travel to face Saint Leo University JV on Thursday.