Men's Soccer Closes Out Home Slate on Tuesday Against ETSU
10/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's soccer team will play its final home game of the 2015 season on Tuesday, Oct. 27 when the Bears host the ETSU Bucs at 7:00 p.m. at Bear Field.
THE BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: Mercer (9-6-1, 4-3-1 SoCon) vs. ETSU (7-5-2, 4-3-1 SoCon)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Bear Field
Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Video
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_MSoccer
LAST TIME OUT
Mercer picked up a 2-1 win over VMI on Saturday, as the Bears' seniors celebrated Senior Day in style. Jordan Duru scored the first goal for Mercer in the 47th minute off a serve from Mark Riggins. The Bears took a 2-0 lead off an own goal from VMI before the Keydets scored a goal of their own to make it 2-1 in the 76th minute. Mercer held VMI off in the final minutes to keep its 2-1 advantage.
SERIES HISTORY
Mercer holds a 6-2-2 advantage in the series with ETSU. The Bears have won each of the last three matches by a margin of 1-0. Earlier this month, Will Bagrou scored his third goal of the season in the 77th minute after the Bucs' goalie corralled a cross, and Conner Antley challenged the keeper, causing him to drop the ball. Antley got the ball to Bagrou, who then made sure it found its way to the back of the net. Mercer held onto its lead for the final 13 minutes to earn the 1-0 win.
SCOUTING ETSU
ETSU and Mercer are currently tied for third in the SoCon, and the Bucs have won each of their last three games. ETSU has also recorded shutouts in two of their last three games, while totaling four clean sheets on the season.
Fletcher Ekern leads the Bucs with seven goals and 16 points, followed closely by James Smith with five goals and a team-leading four assists for a total of 14 points. Ekern also leads the conference in total goals, goals per game (0.50) and points per game (1.14). Smith is second in the league in total assists and points per game (1.00), while ranking third in total points.
Jonny Sutherland has made 49 saves and allowed 18 goals while between the posts for the Bucs. Sutherland has registered a .731 save percentage and a 1.22 goals-against average this season.
MERCER NOTES
Bagrou and Jordan Duru lead Mercer with four goals and three assists for a total of 11 points each. Kobe Perez is third on the team with three goals and three assists, totaling nine points.
As a team, Mercer is second in the conference with 20 assists, just behind UNCG's 23. The Bears are also second in assists per game (1.25).
In goal, Jeremy Booth has made 69 saves and allowed 20 goals for a .775 save percentage and 1.22 GAA. Booth has also anchored a Mercer defense that has notched five shutouts, good enough for second in the SoCon, just behind UNCG's six clean sheets.
Booth leads the league in save percentage, while ranking second in the conference and 12th in the nation in total saves. Mercer's defense also ranks first in the conference in save percentage (.775).
For all the latest information on Mercer men's soccer, please visit MercerBears.com or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow Mercer soccer on Twitter at @Mercer_MSoccer or www.twitter.com/Mercer_MSoccer.
