Friday, August 26
Macon, Ga.
7 PM
Mercer University
vs
Georgia State
Mercer Welcomes Georgia State in Men’s Soccer Season Opener
8/25/2016 2:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's soccer team opens up the 2016 season at home on Friday, August 26 against intrastate foe Georgia State. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. and will be played on Bear Field.
FRIDAY'S MATCHUP
Location: Macon, Georgia – Bear Field
Schedule: Friday, August 26 – 7 p.m. EST vs. Georgia State | LIVE STATS
Twitter Updates:Â @Mercer_MSoccer
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
The first 100 fans to Friday's game will receive a free NuWay hotdog or hamburger.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday's matchup will be the 54th meeting between the Bears and Panthers on the pitch. Mercer trails GSU 17-33-3 in the all-time history. However, the Orange and Black is 12-11-1 when playing in Macon and are winners of three of the last four meetings, including the two most recent matchups.
WELCOME HOME
Since the 2010 season, Mercer has a record of 4-2 in home openers, outscoring the opposition by a combined score of 11-5. The Bears have won each of the last two matches, posting shutout victories by scores of 2-0 over Presbyterian (9/18/15) and Georgia State (8/29/14).
FACTS & FIGURES
The Orange and Black were placed in a tie for third in the SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll. Mercer earned 16 total points, including one first place vote, to tie with ETSU and finished ahead of Wofford (9) and VMI (5) in the standings. UNCG was picked to win the league, attracting three first place votes and 23 total points. Furman was second with two first place votes and 21 points.
SCOUTING GEORGIA STATE
The Panthers are coming off a 9-8-1 season from a year ago to finish second in the Sun Belt. GSU was selected to finish third in the league in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches' Poll. Georgia State outscored its opponents 41-33. The Panther's top returning goal scorer is Jad Elkhalil, as the junior scored five goals in the 2015 campaign.
The backline is anchored by junior Rashid Alarape, who was named to the 2016 All-Sun Belt Preseason Team. Alarape had three goals last season and played in every match for the Panthers. The defender had a .538 shot on goal percentage. The junior worked out with the U23 Nigerian Olympic Team over the summer.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BEARS
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.
FRIDAY'S MATCHUP
Location: Macon, Georgia – Bear Field
Schedule: Friday, August 26 – 7 p.m. EST vs. Georgia State | LIVE STATS
Twitter Updates:Â @Mercer_MSoccer
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
The first 100 fans to Friday's game will receive a free NuWay hotdog or hamburger.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday's matchup will be the 54th meeting between the Bears and Panthers on the pitch. Mercer trails GSU 17-33-3 in the all-time history. However, the Orange and Black is 12-11-1 when playing in Macon and are winners of three of the last four meetings, including the two most recent matchups.
WELCOME HOME
Since the 2010 season, Mercer has a record of 4-2 in home openers, outscoring the opposition by a combined score of 11-5. The Bears have won each of the last two matches, posting shutout victories by scores of 2-0 over Presbyterian (9/18/15) and Georgia State (8/29/14).
FACTS & FIGURES
- Mercer returns 10 starters from last year's team, including 25 of the 32 goals the team scored in 2015.
- Senior defender Ian Antley, junior forward Will Bagrou and senior midfielder Jordan Duru were each Preseason All-SoCon selections.
- Duru is coming off an impressive junior campaign, as he led the Bears in goals (7), assists (7) and points (14).
- Bagrou bolstered the attack with five goals and four assists to total 14 points.
The Orange and Black were placed in a tie for third in the SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll. Mercer earned 16 total points, including one first place vote, to tie with ETSU and finished ahead of Wofford (9) and VMI (5) in the standings. UNCG was picked to win the league, attracting three first place votes and 23 total points. Furman was second with two first place votes and 21 points.
SCOUTING GEORGIA STATE
The Panthers are coming off a 9-8-1 season from a year ago to finish second in the Sun Belt. GSU was selected to finish third in the league in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches' Poll. Georgia State outscored its opponents 41-33. The Panther's top returning goal scorer is Jad Elkhalil, as the junior scored five goals in the 2015 campaign.
The backline is anchored by junior Rashid Alarape, who was named to the 2016 All-Sun Belt Preseason Team. Alarape had three goals last season and played in every match for the Panthers. The defender had a .538 shot on goal percentage. The junior worked out with the U23 Nigerian Olympic Team over the summer.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BEARS
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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