Mercer University
Fla. Gulf Coast
Bears Fall to Eagles for Second-Straight Year in A-Sun Championship
11/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FT. MYERS, Fla. – In an intense and hotly contested Atlantic Sun Championship title match, the Mercer women's soccer team walked away from the FGCU soccer complex with a loss for the second-straight year; falling to Florida Gulf Coast, 1-0 on Sunday.
In a rematch of last season's championship match, the upset-minded Bears again pushed the Eagles to overtime. In the 93rd minute, the Bears defense failed to corral a loose ball at the top of the box and FGCU's Ally Kasun hit a one-timer into the upper far corner for the game-winner.
Kasun had the game-winner two weeks ago when these same two teams met for the regular season championship. The Bears were making their fifth trip to the championship game in the last six seasons and its third-straight title game – the third team in A-Sun history to achieve that mark.
The Bears came out a bit tight allowing FGCU to take the upper hand early in the first half. The nation's leader in goals against average, freshman goalkeeper Maggie Cropp was forced to make four quality first half saves as the Bears midfield and defense settled into the match.
After diffusing the early FGCU threat, the Bears defense stiffened up, but couldn't find the open feet to counter offensively and the teams walked into halftime tied, 0-0.
The second half Mercer found a little of its offensive rhythm and was able to get FGCU on its heels as the game went on. Perhaps the Bears best chance came in the 82nd minute when sophomore Tess Patton guided an open shot just high from eight yards out.
The Bears were outshot in the game 15-9 and had just three shots on goal to FGCU's nine, but things easily could have gone in the Bears favor on Sunday. The loss ends a historic season for the Bears. Mercer set the program record for wins with 13 and reached the double-digit win plateau for the fifth time in the last six seasons, finishing 13-5-3.
Mercer had three players named to the A-Sun All Tournament team at the conclusion of Sunday's match. Defender Rachel Buffalo, midfielder P.A. Upson and goalkeeper Maggie Cropp were all recognized for their play.
