Quick Scoring Propels Mercer to 4-0 Win over Presbyterian

Sunday, September 4

Clinton, S.C.

2:00 PM

Mercer University

2-4-0

Presbyterian

1-2-0

Mercer

Presbyterian

Quick Scoring Propels Mercer to 4-0 Win over Presbyterian

9/4/2016 4:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Patrick Walsh

CLINTON, S.C. – Mercer scored three goals in three minutes early in the first half while Leah Cochran and Cristina Marsuli combined for the team's second shutout of the season as the Bears' women's soccer team blanked Presbyterian, 4-0, in Clinton Sunday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It happened in a blink of an eye. Well, three blinks of an eye, to be exact. Emma Tokuyama opened up the flood gates in the 15^th minute as Presbyterian's goalkeeper came out to challenge Tokuyama, only to be beaten and allow the easy opening goal. Tokuyama also beat a defender off the pass from Megan Delmonico.

Less than a minute later, Maddie Clark netted her SoCon-leading fourth goal of the season, assisted by Caroline Smith. Shortly thereafter, Logan Culver sent a header into the net off a corner kick by Sterre Harsveld to push Mercer's lead to 3-0 only 18 minutes into the match.

In the second half, Annie Barrett put her shot past an outstretched Presbyterian goalkeeper and into the corner of the net for the fourth and final goal of the match while Smith notched her second assist of the day.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Any number of players could receive this honor with a full team effort but credit Leah Cochran's three saves in the first half to keep a clean sheet for the Bears as deserving of the player of the match honors.

HEAD COACH TONY ECONOMOPOULOS' THOUGHTS
"We knew it would be a tough match, playing on a Sunday in the hot weather. Our whole team contributed to this win. Our offense created opportunities and we took advantage of them. This was our second shutout of the season which was important because we have conceded goals in our last four matches. I was happy we were able to keep them from scoring."

On scoring three goals in three minutes:
"We came out today with a game plan that involved high energy early on. I told the team that this was an opportunity to restart our season. We pushed hard and worked hard to score fast."

On the next match:
"Troy is a very well-coached, well-organized team with a lot of athleticism. It was good to get a win and build some confidence and momentum. Now we need to focus on having a great week of training before hosting Troy on Friday."

NOTABLES

Mercer is now 7-0 all-time against Presbyterian.
The shutout marked the second shutout of the season for Mercer after a 6-0 blanking of Alabama A&M to open the season.
Maddie Clark's goal, her fourth of the season, keeps her atop the SoCon lead. She entered the weekend ranked 35^th nationally.
The win snapped a four-match losing streak for Mercer.

RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 2-4 on the season while Presbyterian falls to 1-2.

UP NEXT
Mercer returns home to host Troy on Friday, Sept. 9 at Bear Field in Macon, Georgia.

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 at MercerBears.com.