Mercer To Face Detroit Mercy In Neutral Site Game

MACON, Ga. – The Bears are back in action this weekend as the Mercer men's lacrosse team will take on Detroit Mercy at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky, on the Transylvania University campus.

THE BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Saturday, February 18 | 3 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (0-1, 0-0 SoCon) vs. Detroit Mercy (0-2, 0-0 MAAC)
Location: Lexington, Ky. | Transylvania University | Transylvania Athletic Complex
Twitter Updates: @MercerLacrosse

DOMINATING THE FACEOFF X
Mercer opened the season with a .714 faceoff winning percentage in the Bears' first game. Mercer currently leads the SoCon and ranks third nationally in faceoff winning percentage. Will Beecham went 11-of-14 against Vermont for a .786 faceoff winning percentage, ranking him first in the conference and second nationally. Kiel Brennan was 9-of-14 and ranks third in the league and 15^th nationally with a .643 winning percentage.

WITTENBERG LEADING THE BEARS
Lucas Wittenberg recorded a hat trick and added an assist to lead Mercer with four points against Vermont. The sophomore ranks fifth in the SoCon and 26^th nationally in goals per game (3.00) and fifth in the conference and 36^th nationally in points per game (4.00).

OFFENSE OUTPUT
Shawn Carter, Jake Nelson and Kevin Yoggy each added a pair of goals in Mercer's season opener. Nelson also dished out an assist to finish second on the team with three points. Scott Baird, Will McCarthy and Matt Quinn all added a goal of their own to round out Mercer's scoring against Vermont.

NEW FACES IN THE CAGE
After graduating four-year starter, Mike Nugent, Mercer has looked to its goalkeeping corps to step up this season. Against Vermont, freshman Bradley Hodoval earned the start and spent the entire game between the pipes for the Bears. Hodoval made 11 saves for a .458 save percentage in Mercer's overtime loss to Vermont. The Bears also have senior Brian Bedell, junior William Trieschman, sophomore Tyler Boardo and redshirt freshman Brett Quartuccio to call upon this season.

SCOUTING DETROIT MERCY
Detroit Mercy has started the season with an 0-2 record after falling to No. 17 Ohio State, 14-8, and to Michigan, 15-10. Detroit Mercy faced Michigan on Thursday evening, opening the game closely and taking a 5-4 lead in the second half, before Michigan scored 11 unanswered goals to take a 15-5 advantage. Detroit Mercy scored the final five goals of the game to move the final score to 15-10.

Matthew Vangalen leads the Titans with nine points off a team-leading six assists and three goals. Sean Birney has scored a team-high four goals, while Kyle Beauregard and Alec Gilhooly have also notched three goals each.

Ben Gjokaj leads Detroit Mercy at the faceoff X, winning 20 of 41 faceoffs for a .488 percentage. Gjokaj has also picked up a team-leading 12 ground balls.

Jason Weber has anchored the Titan defense, spending both games between the pipes for Detroit Mercy. He has made 21 saves and allowed 29 goals for a .420 save percentage. Weber has also grabbed 10 ground balls, ranking second on the team.

How to Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Lacrosse, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerLacrosse (Twitter), /MercerMensLAX (Facebook) and @MercerMensLacrosse (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Mercer To Face Detroit Mercy In Neutral Site Game

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Players Mentioned

Scott Baird

Brian Bedell

Will Beecham

Tyler Boardo

Kiel Brennan

Shawn Carter

Bradley Hodoval

Will McCarthy

Jake Nelson

Mike Nugent

Brett Quartuccio

Matt Quinn

William Trieschman

Lucas Wittenberg

Kevin Yoggy

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