Saturday, October 8
Lexington, Va.
12 PM
Mercer University
8-4, 3-1
2
at
0
VMI
0-10, 0-4
1
2
F
Mercer
2
0
2
VMI
0
0
0
Team Stats
MER
VMI
Goals
2
0
Shots
18
2
Shots on Goal
8
1
Saves
1
6
Corners
4
0
Fouls
10
17
Scoring Plays
Jordan Duru (2)
Assisted By: Trenton Whitely
Off deflected shot, into upper left corn
11:03
Emmet Johnson (1)
Assisted By: Will Bagrou , Airrion Blackstock
Goalie out, flicked over head to open ne
13:49
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerMF/D
/ Men's Soccer
Mercer Strikes Fast, Defeats VMI 2-0
10/8/2016 2:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEXINGTON, Va. – Mercer overcame poor playing conditions and a lengthy road trip to notch its third Southern Conference men's soccer victory of the season on Saturday, Oct. 8, defeating VMI 2-0.
Due to the playing conditions, the match was moved from Patchin Field to VMI's Drill Field No. 2, which has a turf surface. That didn't affect the Bears though, who improved to 8-4-0 (3-1-0 SoCon) to remain at the top of the conference standings. VMI dropped to 0-10-0 (0-4-0) on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer wasted no time, per usual, getting on the scoreboard in Lexington on Saturday. Jordan Duru found the upper left corner of the net for the match's first goal following a deflected shot in the 11th minute.
Less than three minutes later, Emmet Johnson proceeded to chip it over the VMI goalkeeper's head to put the Bears in full control of the match only 13 minutes in. Johnson's goal, his first of the season, was assisted by Will Bagrou and Airrion Blackstock. The Bears would finish the first half with 11 shots – three on goal – while holding the Keydets to only one shot that sailed wide.
An uneventful second half featured five shots on goal from the Bears, all of which were saved by VMI. The Keydets recorded their lone shot on goal with a header attempt, but Mercer goalkeeper Jeremy Booth made the save to highlight a quiet work day for the redshirt junior.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The reoccurring theme of scoring quickly continued to be the focal point for Mercer on Saturday. Following Duru's goal in the 11th minute, Mercer now owns the four fastest goals scored by SoCon players this season. Not to be overshadowed, Johnson's score in the 13th is the seventh fastest in the league.
MAN OF THE MATCH
It was Duru's goal that sparked the Bears' quick start and his continued offensive pressure kept the Keydets on their heels all game. The senior midfielder led all players with four shots, all of which were on goal. His score was his second of the season.
QUOTING BRAD RUZZO
On his overall thoughts of Saturday's win at VMI:
"Under the unique circumstances of playing through the weather and dealing with switching to a turf field, our team played well today. We scored two goals early and would've liked to add one late, but we had some near misses.
"We defended well and it's good to get a clean sheet on a difficult road trip to Virginia for us. Overall, I'm pleased with our effort and mentality coming into this game."
NOTABLES
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_MSoccer (Twitter) and/MercerMSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Due to the playing conditions, the match was moved from Patchin Field to VMI's Drill Field No. 2, which has a turf surface. That didn't affect the Bears though, who improved to 8-4-0 (3-1-0 SoCon) to remain at the top of the conference standings. VMI dropped to 0-10-0 (0-4-0) on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer wasted no time, per usual, getting on the scoreboard in Lexington on Saturday. Jordan Duru found the upper left corner of the net for the match's first goal following a deflected shot in the 11th minute.
Less than three minutes later, Emmet Johnson proceeded to chip it over the VMI goalkeeper's head to put the Bears in full control of the match only 13 minutes in. Johnson's goal, his first of the season, was assisted by Will Bagrou and Airrion Blackstock. The Bears would finish the first half with 11 shots – three on goal – while holding the Keydets to only one shot that sailed wide.
An uneventful second half featured five shots on goal from the Bears, all of which were saved by VMI. The Keydets recorded their lone shot on goal with a header attempt, but Mercer goalkeeper Jeremy Booth made the save to highlight a quiet work day for the redshirt junior.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The reoccurring theme of scoring quickly continued to be the focal point for Mercer on Saturday. Following Duru's goal in the 11th minute, Mercer now owns the four fastest goals scored by SoCon players this season. Not to be overshadowed, Johnson's score in the 13th is the seventh fastest in the league.
MAN OF THE MATCH
It was Duru's goal that sparked the Bears' quick start and his continued offensive pressure kept the Keydets on their heels all game. The senior midfielder led all players with four shots, all of which were on goal. His score was his second of the season.
QUOTING BRAD RUZZO
On his overall thoughts of Saturday's win at VMI:
"Under the unique circumstances of playing through the weather and dealing with switching to a turf field, our team played well today. We scored two goals early and would've liked to add one late, but we had some near misses.
"We defended well and it's good to get a clean sheet on a difficult road trip to Virginia for us. Overall, I'm pleased with our effort and mentality coming into this game."
NOTABLES
- Mercer remained perfect against VMI, now leading the all-time series 8-0.
- Booth improved to 7-4-0 in goal for Mercer, recording his third clean sheet in the process. VMI's two total shots are the second-lowest figure Booth has faced this season.
- Trenton Whitely assisted on Duru's goal in the 11th minute, marking his third of the season. The junior midfielder has recorded four points this week.
- Bagrou's assist was his second of the season as the junior has now recorded points in five separate matches. He ranks second in the SoCon with 12 total points.
- Airrion Blackstock notched his first assist and point of the season on Johnson's goal.
- Mercer: 8-4-0 (3-1-0 SoCon)
- VMI: 0-10-0 (0-4-0 SoCon)
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_MSoccer (Twitter) and/MercerMSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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