Mercer University
Auburn
Auburn Offense Too Much for Bears in 2-0 Defeat
9/6/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
AUBURN, Ala. – The Mercer women's soccer team allowed two second half goals in a 2-0 loss at Auburn on Friday evening at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Mercer (2-2-1) was trying to earn a result against a Southeastern Conference opponent for the second-straight game, but Auburn (1-2-1) was able to convert some chances late to come away with the win.
Neither team was able to get much going offensively in the first stanza as Mercer and Auburn entered halftime tied at 0-0.
The best scoring chance for the Bears in the first half came in the 27th minute of play when junior Tess Patton stepped onto a free kick from 20 yards out and blasted an attempt just over the crossbar.
Auburn started the second half aggressive on the offensive side of the ball and it paid off in the 56th minute of the game. Immediately following a Mercer turnover deep in its own end, junior Tori Ball fired a shot just under the crossbar and in to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers put the game out of reach in the 75th minute when sophomore Sophie Simantel headed home a rebound that was cleared off the line by a Mercer defender to make the final score 2-0.
Cropp made a season-high seven saves for Mercer in the loss while Auburn goalkeeper Alyse Scott made two saves.
Mercer plays its fourth and final match against an SEC opponent next time out when it returns to Macon to host Tennessee on Sept. 8. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bear Field.
