Mercer University
Georgia
Mercer Offense Shut Down in 3-0 Loss at Georgia
8/30/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ATHENS, Ga. – The Mercer women's soccer team just couldn't get anything going offensively in a 3-0 defeat at in-state rival Georgia on Friday evening at the UGA Soccer Complex.
Mercer (1-1-1) came into Friday night's contest ranked second in the country in total shots (64) and goals scored per game (6.00), but were out-shot by Georgia (2-1-0) 20-3 in the loss.
After a long stint of scoreless play to start the first half, Georgia jumped on the board first in the 26th minute of play. Freshman Marion Crowder picked up a loose ball and weaved her way through the Mercer defense before ripping a shot to the right of Bears goalkeeper Maggie Cropp and in to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
Mercer had a great chance to tie things up just before half, but a shot by junior Washida Blackman, in the 36th minute of play, skimmed the crossbar and glanced just high of net to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Bulldogs going into intermission.
Georgia found another goal in the early stages of the second half when senior Nicole Locandro converted a penalty kick opportunity in the 50th minute of the contest to make the score 2-0.
The Bulldogs put the game out of reach when freshman Rachel Garcia headed home a corner kick service in the 68th minute of play to increase their lead to the final tally of 3-0.
Cropp made seven saves in the contest, while freshman Haleigh Svede had the only shot on goal for the Bears in the contest.
Mercer is back on the pitch when it takes on Alabama on Sept. 1 in its second of four-straight contests against Southeastern Conference foes. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Complex.
