Mercer University
Lipscomb
Bears Rack Up 23 Shots; Tie Lipscomb, 0-0
10/5/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mercer women's soccer team carried out an offensive onslaught against Lipscomb in regulation and throughout two overtimes, however the Bears attack never amounted to a goal and the teams drew a 0-0 tie in Atlantic Sun play on Friday night.
The Bears (8-3-3, 2-0-2 A-Sun) outshot the Lady Bisons (2-7-4, 0-3-2 A-Sun) 23-2 and held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks at the end of the a full 110 minutes. Despite the lopsided offensive statistics, the Bears failed to get the result they were looking for, yet the team did extend the A-Sun's longest unbeaten streak to seven games.
Mercer is now 5-0-2 in its last seven games and will have a day's rest after a furious offensive performance to prepare for Northern Kentucky on Sunday. The Bears picked up a much needed point in the tie, but four teams remain unbeaten in A-Sun action after Friday night.
Much of the discussion of late has centered on the Bears' offense, however it was the defense that propelled much of the offensive firepower on Friday night. Mercer tied a season-low in limiting the Lady Bisons to just two shots and one on goal. Over the Bears current seven-game unbeaten streak, the Orange and Black defense has limited its opponents to just four goals.
Seven different Mercer players had shots in the game with senior midfielder Patricia-Anne Upson tallying a game-high seven shots. Lipscomb starting goalkeeper Erin Zerio was peppered with eight shots, making all eight saves .
The Bears took control early on and over time picked up the pressure, yet simply could not finish and seemed to miss the final touch that would have led to a goal. The 23 shots were the third-most this season was the first time in seven games that the team did not record a goal.
Mercer next opponent, Northern Kentucky, dropped tough 1-0 decision to Kennesaw State on Friday night and comes in with a 1-4-0 conference record. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
