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(09/14/13 3:07am)
The Mercer Women’s soccer team has taken on some of the toughest teams in the Southeastern Conference the past two weeks. Challenging the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Tennessee, the Bears went 1-3 but remained competitive while taking on these top schools.
On Friday, Aug. 30 the Bears traveled to Athens, Ga. to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. This hard-fought game was lost on the Bears’ inability to stay offensive during the match. They were out-shot by Georgia 20-3.
Mercer goalkeeper Maggie Cropp made seven saves throughout the contest, but the Dogs still found the net three times in the match.
This loss didn’t rattle or shake the Bears; they were able to rally for their Sunday game against Alabama. Despite being the underdogs, the Black and Orange came out and upset the Crimson Tide on their home field with a score of 2-1.
Junior Lauren Gassie scored the first goal early in the match. Her goal was scored with an assist made by classmate Washida Blackman. Gassie scored only 4 minutes into the game, giving the Bears an immediate lead.
The Bears scored their second goal in the 26th minute of the first half. Blackman scored the second goal, with an assist credited to Gassie.
Cropp contributed five saves to this hard-fought win. She commented on the upset.
“It was great getting a result against an SEC opponent. We’ve been working really hard and it’s good to see it pay off.”
Mercer maintained the lead the entire match, and Alabama did not score until late in the second half. This victory over an SEC school was huge for the Bears. This marks a historical fifth win over an SEC school in program history, and the first SEC win since 1999.
The following week, the Bears traveled back to the state of Alabama to take on the Auburn Tigers. On Friday, Sept. 6, the Bears fell to Auburn in a 2-0 match.
The contest remained scoreless as the Bears’ defense battled to prevent Auburn from scoring. It was not until the second half that Auburn was able to score.
Auburn scored in the 55th minute of the match, and again in minute 74. The Bears were out-shot by the Tigers 18 to 6. Cropp had a season-high seven saves in the match.
Sunday, Sept. 8 concluded the series of SEC match-ups as Mercer took on the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols at Bear Field. Unfortunately, the Bears dropped this game 2-0.
The Bears fought offensively, outshooting the Lady Vols 19-13, but were unable to pull out a win against Tennessee.
In minute 23, the Vols scored their first goal. Late in the second half, Tennessee scored their second and final goal in minute 88, sealing the win against the Bears.
Stephanie Giangiuli recorded a team high of four shots during the match. Cropp had five saves. Juniors Tess Patton and Lauren Gassie both got off three shots of their own. Gassie commented on the tough preseason competition.
“Playing four SEC schools was tough, but we were able to play well and get a winning result for one game. We know we did well and got unlucky on a few calls, especially in the Tennessee game.”
The Bears wanted challenging pre-season match-ups to better prepare them for conference play. Gassie continues, “This is going to prepare us physically for upcoming conference games. Playing faster and stronger teams will only help us win conference."
The Bears will return to Bear Field Thursday, Sept. 12 to take on Charleston Southern University at 7 p.m.
(08/28/13 9:00pm)
The Mercer University women’s soccer team is off to a successful start this 2013 season. With one exhibition game and two contests behind them the team shows promise for another winning season ahead.
On Aug. 13 the Bears opened the season with an exhibition match at Bear Field. They defeated Eastern Kentucky University in a 3-1 victory.
The first goal was scored by freshman, Haleigh Svede. Svede scored the goal early in the game at the 13 minute mark.
Junior Lauren Gassie and senior Sadie Curry scored the next two goals for the Bears.
The first official game counting towards the Bears record this season took place Saturday Aug. 25 at Alabama A&M. The Bears took a huge 10-0 victory over the Bulldogs.
This match was unusual and coached by Graduate Assistant Sara Elliot. Elliot had to fill the shoes of Head Coach Tony Economopoulos after he received a red card in the championship game against Florida Gulf Coast last Fall.
“It’s always good to start off the season with a win. And in a game like that, a lot of people get minutes.” said Elliot after the victory.
Eight players contributed goals to the defeat over Alabama A&M. Junior Tess Patton scored the first goal early in the contest. Washida Blackman put one in the back of the net not too long after. Brianna Stampler, Katelyn Dinopoulos, Mackenzie Stewart all contributed goals to the effort as well. Both Annie Barrett and Sydney Brodgen tallied two goals in the match.
Goalkeepers Maggie Cropp, Nikki Atkinson, and Cristina Mursuli all saw the field in the contest. Atkinson and Mursuli both contributed saves to the win.
Patton commented on exceptional shutout.
“A win like this was good to start out with because it helps us build confidence, especially the freshmen. They got to play a lot and prove to Coach [Economopoulos] that they can really compete at this level.”
This 10-0 victory is the most goals a Mercer team has scored since 2004.
The Mercer Bears challenged the Georgia State Panthers Sunday Aug. 24. This hard fought game ended in a 2-2 tie. The regular season home opener served as an exciting start to the Bears season.
In the last seconds of the game, junior transfer Sarah Daane scored the tying goal from 30 yards out.
“It isn’t over until it’s over,” said Daane on her game-tying goal. “There were four seconds left and I knew I had to make it.”
The Panthers took an early lead in the match but Patton scored on a corner kick from Gassie 14 minutes into the match.
Early in the second half GSU scored their second goal, maintaining the lead a majority of the game. Although the Panthers held the lead, the Bears battled back and out-shot the opponent in the second half, leading to the tie goal by Daane.
The first few outings of the Bears are telling of an exciting and successful season to come.
Mercer Soccer travels to Athens, Ga. this weekend to take on an in-state rival at the University of Georgia. The Bears return home to Bear Field Sunday September 8 at 1 p.m. to challenge the Tennessee Volunteers.
(08/14/13 6:45pm)
The Mercer men’s soccer team embarks on their season this fall as players begin reporting for preseason camp on Tuesday.
Mercer hosts both Winthrop and Georgia Southern respectively for their own preseason tournaments Sept. 13 and 15. The 2013 season will include 20 games, six of which are against top-100 teams.
After last season, the Bears finished with their best record in almost 10 years. Although ending last season in a devastating championship loss, the Bears are looking to bounce back strong this season. The toughness of their schedule is evident and will prove challenging as the Bears face many 2012 NCAA tournament participants.
With seven strong returners taking the field, the Bears are predicted to have another successful season this fall. Despite the challenges of the schedule for this 2013 season, the Mercer men’s soccer team appears eager and ready.
During the 2012 season, the Bears were heavily watched and received high regional rankings several times. During the week of Oct. 2, the Bears ranked sixth in the region, a program high. The Bears were ranked among the NSCAA South regional poll during five weeks in the 2012 season.
Senior Brady O’Brien expressed his growing excitement for the upcoming season.
“We’re all very anxious to get the season underway headed into preseason with a strong group of returning players coming back and the addition of our upcoming freshman class,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien explains that he and his teammates have very strong expectations for this 2013 season.
O’Brien was a key player in the strong defense of the Bears that only allowed 18 goals scored all last season. By appearing in every contest of the 2012 season, O’Brien proved to be a strong leader for the team. O’Brien totaled four points last season off of one goal against in-state rival Georgia State and two assists versus UNC Ashville and Lipscomb.
Fifth year senior Joey Heavner is another notable player for the Mercer team who has had great success. Due to injury, Heavner was forced to red shirt last season, but will rejoin the Bears for the 2013 season.
During his junior season in 2011, Heavner received such honors as A-Sun player of the week, A-Sun All Tournament Team, A-Sun 2nd team All-Conference, All-Academic, as well as being named NSCAA Scholar All-South Region honorable mention group. Having Heavner back on the field will have the Bears back in full force for the 2013 season.
Heavner explained that he is ecstatic for his return to the field.
“I am unbelievably excited just thinking about getting to play again,” he said.
After spending the whole summer rehabilitating, he believes that he is ready to compete again with the same goals.
“The goal for us is always a conference championship and to play in the NCAA tournament,” said Heavner.
Other notable returners include junior goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh who was named A-Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times in the 2013 season as well as A-Sun second team All-Conference.
Senior Ryan King will be another key contributor to the upcoming season. Last year, King received such honors as, the A-Sun All-Conference second team, A-Sun Conference All-Academic team, NSCAA Scholar All-South Region second team and an A-Sun All-Academic Honoree.
This year the team is approaching preseason differently and going to Jekyll Island for their preseason camp.
“We’re excited for preseason at Jekyll island. It’ll be a great opportunity to bond and train hard in preparation for the season,” said Heavner.
The team appears to be full of great talent, and should have another great season this fall. The Bears begin competition on Sunday, Aug. 18, in an exhibition match at University of South Carolina.