Bears To Host Wolverines In Midweek Game

MACON, Ga. – Mercer is back in Macon this week and will host Michigan on Thursday at 7 p.m. as the Bears look to grab their first home win of the year.

The broadcast will be carried on the American Sports Network (ASN) and will be simulcast on ESPN3 and via the Watch ESPN app (blackout restrictions apply). ASN Coverage can be found here.

THE BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, March 1 | 7 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (1-2, 0-0 SoCon) vs. Michigan (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Five Star Stadium
Game Notes: Mercer | Michigan
Live Stats: MercerBears.com | Video: ASN and ESPN3
Twitter Updates: @MercerLacrosse

DOMINATING THE FACEOFF X
Mercer has started the season very strong at the faceoff X, currently ranking second in the SoCon and 14th nationally with a 59.7 winning percentage. Kiel Brennan leads the SoCon with a 61.5 winning percentage, while Will Beecham is fifth in the league at 57.6 percent. Both are ranked in the top 25 nationally, as Brennan comes in at 13th and Beecham is 23rd.

NELSON LEADING THE BEARS
Jake Nelson led Mercer with a career-high four goals in the win over Detroit Mercy, helping to earn him the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week award last week. Nelson totals six goals and three assists on the season to lead Mercer with nine points. The sophomore leads the SoCon with a 46.2 shot percentage, ranking him 39th nationally. He is also sixth in the league in goals per game (2.00) and points per game (3.00).

OFFENSE OUTPUT
Mercer is averaging 8.67 goals per game thus far, ranking the Bears fourth in the league and 54th nationally in scoring offense. Mercer ranks sixth in the SoCon in both shot percentage and man-up offense. The Bears have scored on 24.5 percent of their shots and 37.5 percent of their man-up opportunities.

MAKE IT, TAKE IT
In addition to performing well offensively, Mercer is leading the SoCon and ranks sixth nationally with 10.00 caused turnovers per game. Walker Ensor leads Mercer with five caused turnovers this far. He also ranks fifth in the league with 1.67 per game.

ALL CLEAR
Mercer is 49-of-55 on clears so far this season, notching an 89.1 clear percentage. The Bears rank fifth in the SoCon and 26th nationally as six of the league's eight teams rank in the top 30 nationally.

NEW FACES IN THE CAGE
Mercer has looked to two new faces in goal so far this season as freshman Bradley Hodoval and redshirt freshman Brett Quartuccio have both made starts for the Bears. Hodoval has spent a majority of the time between the pipes, having played the entirety of the Vermont game. Hodoval has a .521 save percentage and an 11.14 goals-against average and Quartuccio has recorded a .409 save percentage and a 13.54 GAA.

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer and Michigan have met twice before and the Wolverines leads 2-0 in the series. The teams last met in 2014, a 20-7 Michigan victory in Ann Arbor. This marks Michigan's first trip to Macon.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Michigan is 4-1 so far this season, with its lone loss coming at the hands of No. 4 Notre Dame. Mercer and Michigan have already faced a common opponents as both teams have defeated Detroit Mercy this year.

Brent Noseworth leads the Wolverines with 18 goals and 21 points. He ranks second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with 3.60 goals per game. Ian King is second for Michigan with 18 points off nine goals and a team-leading nine assists.

Mike McDonnell is Michigan's go-to guy at the faceoff X, as he is 64-of-106 for a 60.7 winning percentage. He ranks second in the league and 14th nationally in faceoff winning percentage. He is second on the team with 18 ground balls, just behind Nick DeCaprio's 20.

Tommy Heidt has spent most of the time in goal for the Wolverines. He has made 62 saves and allowed 38 goals for a .620 save percentage and 8.07 GAA. Heidt leads the Big Ten and ranks 15th nationally with 12.40 saves per game. He is also second in the league in save percentage.

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.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Will Beecham

Kiel Brennan

Walker Ensor

Bradley Hodoval

Jake Nelson

Brett Quartuccio

Footer

Mercer University Athletics