Tokuyama’s Goal Not Enough for Mercer in 2-1 Loss at Charlotte

Friday, September 2

Charlotte, N.C.

8:00 PM

Mercer University

1-4

Charlotte

3-2

Mercer

Charlotte

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

Tokuyama’s Goal Not Enough for Mercer in 2-1 Loss at Charlotte

9/2/2016 10:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mercer was unable to overcome a Charlotte goal in the 72^nd minute that proved to be the game-winner against the Bears on Friday evening. Mercer fell by a final score of 2-1 to the 49ers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After nearly 20 minutes of end-to-end play to open the match, the hosts struck first, as Charlotte's Martha Thomas finished into the right side of the net to give the 49ers a 1-0 lead. Neither team scored for the remainder of the first half and the 49ers took their 1-0 advantage into the halftime intermission.

Just under 15 minutes into the second stanza, freshman Emma Tokuyama gave the Mercer attack the spark that it needed. The Saline, Michigan native connected on a magnificent strike from around 30 yards out and tucked the ball just under the crossbar to beat the Charlotte keeper and level the score at 1-1 in the 60^th minute. Unfortunately for the Orange and Black, the goal wasn't enough, as the 49ers regained the lead off a goal from Sara Sandberg that proved to be the deciding factor in the 2-1 decision.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tokuyama fit the bill of a player wearing the number nine jersey on Friday evening, scoring on a wonder-strike from way outside the box. The goal was the second of the season for the first year player.

HEAD COACH TONY ECONOMOPOULOS' THOUGHTS
On the play and goal from freshman Emma Tokuyama:
"Emma [Tokuyama] has been playing very well for us. She has really impressed as a freshman coming in and beginning her collegiate career. I really like her work ethic that she brings to every practice and match, she works hard and continually pushes others on the team. The goal she scored tonight was top-class and it shows the kind of ability she has."

On the team's effort:
"I was really pleased with the team's effort tonight. After giving up a goal in the first half I was happy to see us fight back in the second and tie the match to give us a chance to get a positive result. I liked the resiliency that we displayed. It was a great match, very well played. Charlotte is a quality team that was previously ranked in the region and we went toe-to-toe with them and the match could have went either way."

NOTABLES

Mercer is now 2-2-1 against Charlotte in the all-time series.
Tokuyama scored the second goal of her Mercer career, with the first coming in the season-opening win at Alabama A&M.

RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 1-4 during the 2016 campaign, while Charlotte is now 3-2 on the season.

UP NEXT
The Bears will return to the pitch on Sunday, Sept. 4, when they take on Presbyterian at 2 p.m. in Clinton, South Carolina.

How to Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) and@MercerWSoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics atMercerBears.com.