Mercer University
Xavier
Bears Fall 3-1 in Catamount Classic
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CULLOWHEE, NC – The first day of the Western Carolina Catamount Soccer Classic did not goes as scripted for the Mercer University women's soccer team, as it dropped its fourth straight match of the 2010 season.
The 3-1 loss versus Atlantic 10 Conference foe Xavier extended the Bears winless streak to five. After taking the season opener at home against Georgia Southern, the Bears have arguably hit their most difficult stretch of their schedule and will look to rectify the slump.
Mercer moves to 1-4-1 on the year and will wrap up their non-conference schedule on Sunday against Air Force in the final game of the Catamount Classic.
Again on Friday, the Bears played a highly-competitive match, scoring first and quickly putting the pressure squarely on the Musketeers. Jordan Sink, a product of Macon's Mount de Sales Academy, became MU's second freshman of the season to score her first career goal, as she gave the Bears the 1-0 lead just 15 minutes into the game.
However, less than a minute later, the Musketeers would add the equalizer as Jessica Brooks knotted the game at 1-1 on an assist from Leslie Twehues. That score stood as the teams went into the halftime locker room.
The Bears held the offensive advantage in the first half, outshooting the Musketeers, 8-5, and owning the three lone corner kick opportunities of the half.
Junior goalkeeper Cristina Guilarte again started in net for the Bears and was again relieved in the second half by junior Cagney Valloch. Guilarte has seen a significant amount of time in net and leads the team in saves, adding two on Friday to up her total to 19 on the year.
Unfortunately for the Bears, it was Valloch who was charged with the go-ahead goal, as well as the eventual game-winner in the 65th minute. Xavier's Ashton Green netted her first goal of the season on a shot from 15 yards out. The Musketeers would add an insurance goal in the 87th minute as the Bears pushed forward in hopes of tying the game.
Mercer's Sunday meeting against Air Force will be the first time that the two programs have met in either schools' history. The Bears and Falcons will kick-off at noon.
