From the ice to the Florida heat, Canadian defender Kerfalla Toure is making his mark

Kerfalla Toure gave up hockey to focus on soccer, a move that has paid off handsomely for Florida Atlantic University.

The 24-year-old centre back from Dorval, Que., has helped the Owls reach the 48-team NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship for the first time, with a first-round date Thursday at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The winner will face No. 7 Georgetown on Sunday in Washington, D.C.

Florida Atlantic (12-3-2) earned its first NCAA championship appearance by winning the American Conference tournament, defeating rival Florida International University 3-2 in Saturday's final in Charlotte, N.C.

"We're all proud of how it's gone so far but we also know that it isn't over," said Toure. "And that we can really make a special run here."

A win Thursday will tie the