Mercer University
VMI
Bears Stretch Unbeaten Streak to Five with 2-1 Win at VMI
9/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
LEXINGTON, Va. – The Mercer men's soccer team is off to its best start in nine years after a gritty 2-1 road win over Virginia Military Institute on Friday evening at Patchin Field.
The victory moves Mercer's overall record to 4-1-1 on the season, its best start after six contests since a 5-1 start in 2001. The victory also pushes the Orange and Black's unbeaten streak to five games, the longest current run in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Mercer out-shot VMI 21-17, including a 10-2 edge in shots on goal. The Bears 21 shots and 10 shots on goal were both season highs. The Orange and Black also held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks in the contest.
VMI jumped out to an early lead thanks to a strike in the 10th minute of the game. Senior Brian Harding slipped a shot past Mercer goalkeeper Brett Petricek to put the Keydets up 1-0.
The Bears roared back with an equalizer, tying the game back up at 1-1, just seven minutes later. Senior Ian Cameron received a touch pass from freshman Joshua Ball and buried a shot for his team-high third goal of the season.
The Orange and Black were not done there however, as they continued to press the VMI defensive. The pressure paid off in the form of another goal. Freshman midfielder Ryan King collected a loose ball in the 23rd minute of play and fired in a line drive shot from 30 yards away to put Mercer in front, 2-1.
The Mercer defense did the rest from there, holding VMI to just one more shot on goal for the remainder of the game. The Bears have now held four of their six opponents this season to one goal or less.
Petricek made two saves to earn the win and improve his record to 4-0-0 this season.
Mercer is back in action later this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 26 when it welcomes Wofford to Bear Field for a non-conference match. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
