Team Stats
UPST
MER
Goals
2
3
Shots
16
23
Shots on Goal
6
10
Saves
7
4
Corners
5
10
Fouls
14
14
Scoring Plays

SKAIAA, Martin (1)
ripped from 30 out, skipped hard off gro
14:59

Leo Toledo Jr. (3)
Assisted By: Trevor Martineau
GOAL by MER Leo Toledo Jr., Assist by Trevor Martineau, goal number 3 for season.
26:48

Michael Ille (3)
Assisted By: Kobe Perez
GOAL by MER Michael Ille, Assist by Kobe Perez, goal number 3 for season.
49:10

TEAM
11 played it in and Mercer's #4 kicked i
51:39

Emmet Johnson (2)
Assisted By: Jake Mezei , Kobe Perez
passed from middle to left side and ripp
79:58
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned

Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Bears Outlast Spartans in Midweek Clash
10/9/2018 10:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Mercer scores late to withstand USC Upstate’s comeback
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Men's Soccer team claimed its final non-conference tilt of the 2018 season, besting USC Upstate by the final score of 3-2 on Tuesday night at Betts Stadium. The Bears needed an 80th minute goal from Emmet Johnson to improve to 8-2-2 on the season, including 7-2-2 in non-league play. The Spartans fall to 2-8-0 following the loss.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Shots were at will tonight in the match as the two teams combined for 39 total shots, including 16 on frame. The Bears blasted 23 shots to 16 from the Spartans, while also outshooting the visitors 10-6 in shots on frame.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kobe Perez earned man of the match honors after assisting on the final two goals for the Bears. Perez's two assists allowed the Bears to stay ahead of the Spartans, including collecting an assist on the game-winning goal from Emmet Johnson in the 80th minute.
HOW IT HAPPENED
USC Upstate connected for the match's first goal late in the 15th minute as Martin Skaiaa registered his first goal of the season. Skaiaa's shot came from just outside the top of the box, finding the left side of the frame.
The Bears knotted the match at 1-1 in the 27th minute thanks to Leo Toledo Jr.'s third tally of the campaign. The redshirt-sophomore received the ball from Trevor Martineau on a counter attack and that was all she wrote as Toledo raced ahead of the defender before rifling the ball into the far left corner of the net.
The drama picked up in the 50th minute when Mercer netted its second goal of the match. Transfer-freshman Michael Ille found the back of the net for the third time this season after receiving a header from Perez. Ille knocked the ball down before chipping the USC Upstate defenders and into the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, the Spartans were gifted an own goal. Cam Philpot dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box before sending a pass across the middle. Mercer's defense crowded the box and got a foot on the ball, however knocking the pass into the back of their own net to even the match at two apiece.
The Bears continued to pound the net and test the Spartans' defender, forcing four saves in a span of 10 minutes. Mercer finally broke free from the draw in the 80th minute when senior defender Emmet Johnson buried his second goal of the season. Perez set up the go-ahead goal with his initial pass to Jake Mezei, who then flicked the ball towards Johnson. The Georgia native wasted no time, lacing a high-arching shot over the outstretched arms of CJ Cluck and into the back of the net for the game-winner.
NOTABLES
RECORDS UPDATE
NEXT MATCH
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_MSoccer (Twitter), MercerMSoccer (Instagram) and /MercerMSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Shots were at will tonight in the match as the two teams combined for 39 total shots, including 16 on frame. The Bears blasted 23 shots to 16 from the Spartans, while also outshooting the visitors 10-6 in shots on frame.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kobe Perez earned man of the match honors after assisting on the final two goals for the Bears. Perez's two assists allowed the Bears to stay ahead of the Spartans, including collecting an assist on the game-winning goal from Emmet Johnson in the 80th minute.
HOW IT HAPPENED
USC Upstate connected for the match's first goal late in the 15th minute as Martin Skaiaa registered his first goal of the season. Skaiaa's shot came from just outside the top of the box, finding the left side of the frame.
The Bears knotted the match at 1-1 in the 27th minute thanks to Leo Toledo Jr.'s third tally of the campaign. The redshirt-sophomore received the ball from Trevor Martineau on a counter attack and that was all she wrote as Toledo raced ahead of the defender before rifling the ball into the far left corner of the net.
The drama picked up in the 50th minute when Mercer netted its second goal of the match. Transfer-freshman Michael Ille found the back of the net for the third time this season after receiving a header from Perez. Ille knocked the ball down before chipping the USC Upstate defenders and into the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, the Spartans were gifted an own goal. Cam Philpot dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box before sending a pass across the middle. Mercer's defense crowded the box and got a foot on the ball, however knocking the pass into the back of their own net to even the match at two apiece.
The Bears continued to pound the net and test the Spartans' defender, forcing four saves in a span of 10 minutes. Mercer finally broke free from the draw in the 80th minute when senior defender Emmet Johnson buried his second goal of the season. Perez set up the go-ahead goal with his initial pass to Jake Mezei, who then flicked the ball towards Johnson. The Georgia native wasted no time, lacing a high-arching shot over the outstretched arms of CJ Cluck and into the back of the net for the game-winner.
NOTABLES
- Mercer improves to 5-2-1 all-time against its former ASUN foe, winning its third showdown in the last four meetings.
- The Bears matched a season-high four-match win streak with the victory over the Spartans. Mercer jumpstarted the season with a four-match win streak.
- Mercer finished the nonconference slate with a 7-2-2 mark, including 2-1-1 at home.
- The Bears have now notched 29 assists on 26 goals this season as we head down the final stretch.
RECORDS UPDATE
- Mercer: 8-2-2
- USC Upstate: 2-8-0
NEXT MATCH
- Mercer vs. Wofford on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Betts Stadium in Macon, Ga.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_MSoccer (Twitter), MercerMSoccer (Instagram) and /MercerMSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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