Mercer University
S.C. Upstate
Bears Settle for 0-0 Draw against USC Upstate
10/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MACON, Ga. –After 110 minutes of all-out effort, the Mercer men's soccer team just couldn't find the back of the net in an eventual 0-0 draw with USC Upstate on a bitterly cold Wednesday evening at Bear Field.
Mercer (6-6-2, 1-3-1 A-Sun) put up a season-high 23 shots in the contest and out-cornered USC Upstate (5-7-2, 2-3-2 A-Sun) 9-8, but failed to light up the scoreboard in a game for just the third time this season.
Each squad had several quality scoring chances throughout in a game that was high tempo on the offensive side of the ball from the first whistle.
The Bears best chance came in the first half when junior Joey Heavner whipped in a corner kick that freshman Carl-Oscar Andersson headed on net. The attempt looked to be sailing in just inside the near post, but a USC Upstate defender headed the ball of the line to keep the game scoreless.
The Spartans top scoring opportunity came late in the second half. Senior Timo Forester dribbled into some space and ripped a shot from about 25 yards out that bounded off the far post and back onto the field of play.
Mercer goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh made a season-high six saves to record his sixth shutout of the season, while USC Upstate's Jason McCabe made seven saves to preserve the 0-0 final score.
Mercer is back in action this Saturday when it hosts ETSU in its final Atlantic Sun Conference home match of the 2011 season. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bear Field and will double as Senior Night for defenders Ryan Young and Phil Thoren.
