Mercer University
Tulsa
Women's Soccer Falls in Season Opener to Tulsa
8/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's soccer team opened the 2015 season with a 2-0 loss to Tulsa on Friday night.
TURNING POINT
After a scoreless first half, the Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead off a header from Christina Holmes from five yards out in the 61st minute. Tulsa added second goal in the 76th minute and the Bears were unable to find a shot in the final minutes to threaten the lead.
WOMAN OF THE MATCH
Maggie Cropp started in goal for Mercer and played the entire first half, notching two saves and refusing to allow a Tulsa goal. Cropp faced a total of seven shots in the first half.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Bears' defense kept the Hurricanes from blowing past the back line, only allowing Tulsa to place seven of its 20 shots on goal.
NOTABLES
- Freshman Haley McDuffee took Mercer's lone shot of the evening and also recorded a shot on goal for the Bears.
- Four freshmen earned the starting nod from Head Coach Tony Economopoulos, as Karina Castillo, Jorden Christensen, Alexius Hill and McDuffee each registered their first career start.
- Fellow freshman Caroline Smith also saw playing time for the Orange and Black.
- Cristina Mursuli played the second half in goal for the Bears, making three saves and allowing two goals while facing 13 shots.
- Mercer moves to 0-2 all-time against Tulsa.
QUOTES
"I was proud of the team's effort tonight against a very good and talented Tulsa team. We fell a little short, and with the recent injuries we've had, that was tough for us. We'll regroup and get ready for Oklahoma State on Sunday, but again, I was very proud of the effort tonight." – Head Coach Tony Economopoulos
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer starts the season with an 0-1 record, while Tulsa begins with a 1-0 mark.
UP NEXT
The Bears will face Oklahoma State on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. ET at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex in Stillwater, Okla.
For all the latest information on Mercer women's soccer, please visit MercerBears.com or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow Mercer soccer on Twitter at @MercerWSoccer or www.twitter.com/MercerWSoccer.
