Mercer University
Fla. Gulf Coast
Bears Bid To Repeat Thwarted by FGCU In Double Overtime
11/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FT. MYERS, Fla. – The Mercer women's soccer team's bid for a second-straight Atlantic Sun Tournament Championship fell just short as No. 1 Florida Gulf Coast scored with 3:50 to play in the second overtime of Sunday's tournament final; taking the 1-0 victory.
On what started out as a fairly innocent play, junior defender P.A. Upson headed a soft FGCU service that went straight into the air at Mercer's own 18. Upson couldn't then control the ball and FGCU's Gina Petracco was able to tap a pass to teammate Shannon Wacker, who one-timed a shot to the right side of the net and in.
The loss ends a magical run for the Bears in the A-Sun tournament as the team came in as the No. 6 seed. Mercer upset both the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds to earn the right to defend its 2010 title. However, Mercer just couldn't hang on in its third-straight overtime game this tournament.
"You have to give credit to FGCU and coach Blankenship," Mercer head coach Grant Serafy said. "He does an outstanding job with the program they played well today."
The success of this postseason run is historic. Mercer is still the only No. 6 seed to make the tournament final and the Bears have also now played in most tournament finals in the last five years than any other team in the league.
With two wins in the tournament, Mercer has also reached the double-digit win plateau for the fourth time in five seasons, finishing with a 10-8-2 overall record.
"I am proud of my girls as well," Serafy said. "That was the third overtime game in a row and it was a difficult challenge to overcome. But there wasn't a lack of heart or effort. In the end we are pleased with the season we had and I want to congratulate the seniors on a wonderful four-year career."
The last time the final match went to overtime was in the 2008 title match between the Bears and Belmont. Mercer was the runner-up in that match as well, being knocked out on PK's.
Mercer had three players named to the A-Sun All-Tournament team at the conclusion of Sunday's match. Seniors Ali Meek and Olivia Tucker and junior P.A. Upson all were recognized for their play. It's the second year in a row for Tucker, as she was named tournament MVP last season.
Sunday's match was a heavy-weight battle with both teams trading blows throughout regulation. FGCU held the advantage in the first half and Mercer stormed back with an impressive offensive attack in the second. Both overtimes were also evenly played until FGCU took advantage on the Upson miscue. FGCU held the slight 15-10 advantage in shots.
Mercer relied on several defensive stands in the first half to keep the game knotted at zero heading into halftime. The FGCU offense outworked the Bears to a number of balls on their attack, equating to a 6-1 advantage in shots through the first 45.
Mercer sophomore keeper Nikki Atkinson had another stellar game in goal, making six saves in the match. In the first period, she made a tremendous punch save on a FGCU free kick from the top of the box. In the second she made three saves that kept Mercer's championship hopes alive.
Mercer did have several chances of its own as FGCU's keeper Stephanie Powers came off her line on several occasions to try and pluck balls out of the air. Two of those attempts ended up turning into serious scoring opportunities for the Bears. Mercer however couldn't capitalize and fought to a tough 0-0 tie at the half.
Mercer came out quick in the second half, but FGCU countered with some solid play by their forwards. By the end of the second half Mercer looked to take the offensive momentum.
With less than 10 minutes to play in the second, the Bears threatened to score on several well-formed plays. Yet, an FGCU defense that has allowed the fewest goals in the A-Sun diffused the Bears threat. The Bears' added intensity gave the team the slight 8-5 advantage in shots in the second.
Nine seniors played in their final match on Sunday.
