Mercer University
UNC Greensboro
Men's Soccer Drops SoCon Opener in Overtime Match at UNCG
9/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Mercer University men's soccer team fell to UNCG, 2-1, in overtime on Tuesday night to open Southern Conference play at the UNCG Soccer Complex in Greensboro, N.C.
TURNING POINT
Despite an early goal by the Spartans, the game was fairly even throughout, with the teams entering halftime with seven shots each. Mercer knotted the score, 1-1, in the 63rd minute off a penalty kick from Ian Antley. The score remained tied for the final 27 minutes, sending the teams to overtime for the third straight meeting. UNCG scored the game-winning goal after Matteo Busio broke away and ran down the field before firing off a shot from 25 yards out and connecting with the back of the net in the 95th minute.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ian Antley scored Mercer's only goal of the game, allowing the Bears to equalize the score in the second half. Antley notched three shots, including two on goal, finishing second on the team in shots for the night.
STAT OF THE GAME
Both the shots and corner kicks were even, as each team took 16 shots and seven corner kicks.
NOTABLES
- Ian Antley scored his first goal of the season and the second of his career on the penalty kick in the second half. It was also his first attempt at a penalty kick while donning the Orange and Black.
- Will Bagrou led Mercer with six shots on the night, including four attempts in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Two of Bagrou's shots were on target, and both of those came in the final 10 minutes of the second half.
- Jordan Duru also tallied three shots, tying Ian Antley for second on the team.
- Jeremy Booth made six saves on the night in goal for Mercer.
- Including tonight's game, Mercer and UNCG have gone to overtime in each of the last three games, all of which have taken place in Greensboro. This is the first match to end in the first overtime period, as well as the first one the Spartans have won.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 5-4 on the season and 0-1 in Southern Conference play, while UNCG moves to 5-4-1 overall and 1-0 in league action.
UP NEXT
Mercer will return to Bear Field to host Wofford on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. The game will serve as the Bears' home opener in SoCon play.
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.
