TITANS FALL AS GURGEL LEADS SHARKS TO STUNNING COMEBACK IN SEMIFINALS

Miami Dade punched its ticket to the FCSAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship match in spectacular fashion, storming back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Eastern Florida State College, 3–2, in Thursday's semifinal.

The Titans jumped ahead early with two first-half goals from Brienna McCain and Aoife Farral, taking a commanding 2–0 lead into the break. But the Sharks came out of halftime firing, as Jayla Espinosa opened the scoring for Miami Dade just two minutes into the second period to cut the deficit in half.

With time winding down, it turned into the Julia Gurgel Show. The sophomore forward completely took over the final minutes, netting the equalizer in the 85th minute before delivering the game-winner just three minutes later to seal the dramatic comeback. Gurgel finished with eight shots and five on target, powering an attack that outshot Eastern Florida 17–7 in the contest.

Goalkeeper Ashley Fonseca held firm after the early goals, collecting three saves to preserve the win as the Sharks shut out the Titans in the second half.

With the 3–2 victory, Miami Dade advances to the FCSAA Division I Championship Final, where they'll look to carry their late-game momentum into the title clash against the #1 ranked Daytona State College Falcons.