Freshmen Shine in Preseason Loss to Alabama

Saturday, August 14

1 pm

Mercer University

Alabama

8/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

ATLANTA, Ga. – With the 2010 regular season now squarely on the horizon, the Mercer women's soccer team took the field one last time in the preseason on Saturday, ultimately losing to Alabama, 3-1.

In a game that the Bears were outshot 18 to six and had just one shot on goal, which resulted in Mercer's lone score, it was the freshmen who impressed head coach Grant Serafy the most.

Freshmen forward Nadja Kolliesuah, led the way for the newcomers and continued her strong preseason play recording her first collegiate goal to tie the game at one just before the end of the first half.

Kolliesuah made a strong run on a ball deep in Alabama's end and outfought a defender for possession and put a ball to the near side of the net to knot the game at one. However, beyond the goal it was clear Serafy was not pleased with the overall effort.

Mercer's seventh-year head coach credited Alabama as they beat Mercer players to the ball and took advantage of numerous turnovers in the Bears midfield. Alabama's Brooke Rogers gave the Tide their first lead as she was able to find the back of the net just six minutes into the match.

"I thought Alabama came out and played extremely well," Serafy said. "Todd [Bramble]brought them through a lot in their offseason workouts and they did a good job."

Mercer's trio of goalkeepers performed well and were able to keep out six of the nine shots on goal, but Alabama took advantage twice late in the game as the Bears began to wear down. All three goaltenders gave up one goal, but Serafy said he was pleased with the overall play at the position and will continue to wait and see who can define a more permanent role in net.

"I was impressed by Nikki's [Atkinson] play today and of the freshmen in general," Serafy said. "Today was more attributed to Alabama and their work and a little lack of leadership on our part."

The Bears will have a little more than a week to continue to prepare for the regular season and Georgia Southern on August 22. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at home on Bear Field.