Men's Soccer Advances to NJCAA Division 1 National Championship Semi Final
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 1 |
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2 | 0 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
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0 | 3 | 3 |
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2 | 2 | 4 |
Team Stats
Blinn College
| Game Statistics | Blinn College | Daytona State College |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 7 (5) | 17 (4) |
| Saves | 2 | 4 |
| Fouls | 14 | 10 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
Barton Community College
| Game Statistics | Barton Community College | Daytona State College |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 17 (11) | 12 (8) |
| Saves | 4 | 8 |
| Fouls | 12 | 19 |
| Corner Kicks | 7 | 1 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
The Daytona State College men's soccer team has achieved a historic milestone, advancing to the NJCAA Division I National Championship semifinals for the first time in program history. Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed, the Falcons battled through pool play with two thrilling victories over Blinn College (Texas) and Barton Community College (Kansas).
In their opening match on Sunday, the Falcons overcame an early setback when Blinn capitalized on a defensive miscue to take a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the contest. Daytona State responded with determination, leveling the score in the 31st minute thanks to a spectacular left-footed volley from sophomore Giovanni Donzetti. With only 40 seconds remaining in the first half, sophomore captain Marin Selak calmly converted a penalty kick to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Daytona State held firm in the second half to secure the win.
The Falcons' second game came against the No. 4-ranked Barton Cougars, and Daytona State struck early. Sophomore forwards Kayoum M'Bamba and Lance Talley combined for the opening goal, followed by Santiago Apolaro's first goal as a Falcon in the 23rd minute to make it 2-0 at halftime. Carlos Rojas extended the lead to 3-0 in the 61st minute, but Barton mounted a comeback with two quick goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes. Josue Youta restored the Falcons' cushion with a penalty in the 83rd minute, and despite a late Barton goal, Daytona State held on for a 4-3 victory.
With two wins in pool play, Daytona State advances to the NJCAA Division I National Championship semifinals. The Falcons will face Mohave College (Arizona) on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Daytona State College Soccer Stadium.
