Mercer University
Georgia St.
Comeback Attempt Fails, Bears Fall 1-0 at Georgia State
9/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. – The Mercer women's soccer team allowed a goal in the 10th minute of Friday's in-state rivalry game against Georgia State and a furious comeback attempt fell just short as the Bears went on to lose the match 1-0.
The loss is Mercer's (3-3-1) second straight and also marks the second time in as many games that the Bears failed to find the back of the net. However, it was not because of a lack of opportunities. Mercer outshot Georgia State (3-2) 12-5 on Friday and had four shot trained on goal, but just couldn't find the equalizer among them.
"I felt we did good job today," head coach Tony Economopoulos said. "We played better in the second half. We hit the post and the cross bar and had our chances but we just couldn't get that goal to force overtime."
The Bears fell behind early in the first half when Georgia State's Jordan Young tallied her first goal of the season off an assist by teammate Whitney Ravan. The goal coming in the 10th minute was a nice shot from eight yards out into the upper near post and forced Mercer to play from behind from the start.
The Bears picked up the offensive pressure and unloaded five shots in the period with three on frame, however walked into halftime trailing 1-0. It was just the third time this season that Mercer trailed heading into the second period. All told, 11 different Bears recorded shots in the game, with sophomore Lauren Gassie recording two to lead the squad.
"We had one breakdown on the backline that led to their goal, but right now we just are lacking that killer instinct to finish," Economopoulos said.
Seven second half shots, five total corner kicks and 10 Georgia St. penalties provided the Bears an opportunity to get back into the game, but GSU's goalkeeper Rebecca Toler was able to make four saves and kept the Bears at bay.
Freshman Maggie Cropp took over in goal for junior Nikki Atkinson to start the second and looked strong making one save in her appearance.
Mercer returns home on Sunday afternoon to take on Alcorn St. with three non-conference games remaining before the start of A-Sun play on Sept. 22 at Kennesaw State. The Bears get underway at 1 p.m. at Bear Field on Sunday.
"Sunday is a chance for us to bounce back and regain our confidence before we head to Alabama for a two-game swing," Economopoulos said.
