Mercer University
Radford
Late Offensive Surge Lifts Mercer over Radford
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Mercer men's soccer team used three second half goals to run away from Radford, 3-0, in the opening game of the Flash Gordon Motors Invitational on Friday evening at Vert Stadium.
Mercer 2-1-0 (0-0-0 A-Sun) out-shot Radford 11-10, and used steady pressure on the offensive end to amass a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The 3-0 win for the Bears is their second-straight win by that exact score after shutting out Winthrop 3-0 on September 5.
The Orange and Black started the game strong, dominating play in the first 45 minutes. But Radford, 1-2-0 (0-0-0 Big South), stood strong defensively and held the game scoreless going into intermission.
The second half is where Mercer took command of the game, scoring three goals in a 20-minute span.
Freshman Ryan King finally got the Bears on the board in the 64th minute when he settled a poor Radford clearance attempt and fired a shot that glanced off the left post and in to make the score 1-0.
Sophomore Richie Edmondson added to Mercer's lead in the 74th minute when he tracked down a cross from classmate Joey Heavner and beat Radford goalkeeper Ryan Taylor to the ball to put Mercer out in front, 2-0.
Sophomore Stefan Wingo put the game out of reach in the 83rd minute thanks to some unselfish passing. Freshman Jeffrey Clithero made a hard run into Radford's end and sent in a cross that was headed back across the box by redshirt sophomore Matt Brazer and slid in by Wingo to cap the scoring for the match, at 3-0.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brett Petricek made only two saves in the match to earn his second-straight shutout. Petricek's easy day in goal was thanks in large part to Mercer's back four of sophomore Josh Shutter, freshman Brady O'Brien, junior Phil Thoren and Heavner. The unit has collectively allowed just three goals over the Orange and Black's first three matches of the season.
Mercer continues its play in the Flash Gordon Motors Invitational when it takes on host school High Point on Sunday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
