Mercer Falls 2-1 to Georgia Southern

Saturday, September 17

Macon, Ga.

8 PM

Mercer University

5-2

Georgia Southern

3-3-1

Georgia Southern

Mercer

Photo by: Bill Hirsh

9/17/2016 10:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MACON, Ga. – A physical match against a well-known intrastate foe ended sourly for the Mercer men's soccer team, which was defeated by Georgia Southern 2-1 on Saturday night at Bear Field. The loss was only Mercer's second of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Barely a full three minutes into the match, both teams found the net to provide early fireworks at Bear Field. The Bears struck first as Will Bagrou stayed hot and found the net from 10 yards out in the second minute to give Mercer the 1-0 advantage. Nickolas Tripodi served the ball in from the left for the assist.

Before the dust could settle however, Georgia Southern responded with its own goal by Blake Wilson, who was assisted by Adam Abdellaoui. Shots were exchanged through the remainder of the first half before the teams headed into halftime with a 1-1 tie.

Georgia Southern took a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute as Blake's strike found the net for the second time, resulting in the eventual match-winning goal. The Bears got three shots on goal after the score, but couldn't find a way to pull even.

STAT OF THE NIGHT
Nine yellow cards were issued Saturday night in the heated match between Mercer and Georgia Southern. Jacob Chadwell, Will Bagrou, Jordan Duru, Conner Antley and Airrion Blackstock were the five Bears to receive cards while four Eagles earned them as well. Six of the cards were issued from the 75th minute on.

NOTABLES

Georgia Southern is now even with Mercer in the all-time series, 24-24.
The one-goal loss was Mercer's first this season. Mercer is now 4-1 in matches decided by one goal.
Despite the loss, Mercer outshot the Eagles 10 to nine and had seven shots on goal. Jordan Duru recorded three of the shots on goal to lead the Bears.
Bagrou's early goal was his fourth of the season and third in the past two matches. He continues to lead Mercer in goals and points (nine).
Tripodi's assist to Bagrou was his first of the season.

RECORDS UPDATE

Mercer: 5-2 (0-0 SoCon)
Georgia Southern: 3-3-1 (0-0 Sun Belt)

UP NEXT
Mercer hits the road to face non-conference foe Presbyterian at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 in Clinton, South Carolina.
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.