Team Stats
UE
MER
Goals
1
1
Shots
10
16
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
6
3
Corners
3
11
Fouls
18
10
Scoring Plays

Weber, Ben (2)
Assisted By: Deweese, Hunter , Johansson, Filip
one touch to left side, passed across mi
66:28

Michael Ille (2)
Assisted By: Jake Mezei
GOAL by MER Michael Ille, Assist by Jake Mezei, goal number 2 for season.
83:21
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned

Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Bears Split Home Opener with Purple Aces
9/16/2018 3:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Michael Ille’s goal in the 84th minute saves home opener for Bears
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Bears opened their home schedule at newly renovated Betts Stadium on Sunday afternoon, splitting the 1-1 match with the Purple Aces of Evansville. With the draw, Mercer improves to 4-1-2 on the season and 0-3-1 all-time against Evansville.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Bears peppered the shots in today's match with 16, holding the Purple Aces to 10. Mercer was successful in placing seven on target, controlling the offensive side of the pitch.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michael Ille delivered the man of the match performance in today's draw, notching his second goal of the season in the 84th minute to even the contest at one apiece. Ille finished the match with four shots and one goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer and Evansville entered the half tied 0-0 after combining for just seven shots in the opening half. The Bears' best chance came in the 19th minute when Ramario Thompson headed the ball on target after a prestigious delivery from Leo Toledo Jr. Thompson's header nearly found the back of the net, but Frederik Reimer made the fingertip save to preserve the first half clean sheet.
The Purple Aces took control of the match in the 67th minute when Ben Weber scored his second goal of the season after back-to-back one touch passes from Hunter Deweese and Filip Johansson.
The Bears were able to notch the match at 1-1 in the 84th minute thanks to Ille's second tally of the campaign. The Clemson transfer received the pass from Jake Mezei and then went to work, dribbling across the top of the 18-yard box and delivering a strike to the upper left corner from 20 yards out for the equalizer.
Mercer outshot Evansville 4-3 in the extra 20 minutes of play, nearly breaking through in the 102nd and 109th minute. The play of the day came just 43 seconds into the first overtime when JR DeRose made a leaping fingertip save to keep the match knotted at 1-1.
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
The Bears peppered the shots in today's match with 16, holding the Purple Aces to 10. Mercer was successful in placing seven on target, controlling the offensive side of the pitch.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michael Ille delivered the man of the match performance in today's draw, notching his second goal of the season in the 84th minute to even the contest at one apiece. Ille finished the match with four shots and one goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer and Evansville entered the half tied 0-0 after combining for just seven shots in the opening half. The Bears' best chance came in the 19th minute when Ramario Thompson headed the ball on target after a prestigious delivery from Leo Toledo Jr. Thompson's header nearly found the back of the net, but Frederik Reimer made the fingertip save to preserve the first half clean sheet.
The Purple Aces took control of the match in the 67th minute when Ben Weber scored his second goal of the season after back-to-back one touch passes from Hunter Deweese and Filip Johansson.
The Bears were able to notch the match at 1-1 in the 84th minute thanks to Ille's second tally of the campaign. The Clemson transfer received the pass from Jake Mezei and then went to work, dribbling across the top of the 18-yard box and delivering a strike to the upper left corner from 20 yards out for the equalizer.
Mercer outshot Evansville 4-3 in the extra 20 minutes of play, nearly breaking through in the 102nd and 109th minute. The play of the day came just 43 seconds into the first overtime when JR DeRose made a leaping fingertip save to keep the match knotted at 1-1.
NOTABLES
- Mercer is now 0-3-1 all-time against Evansville following today's draw in the home opener.
- Michael Ille picked up his second goal of the season, while Jake Mezei notched his second assist on the campaign.
- The Bears are now 4-1-2 on the season and 3-0-2 in the last five home openers.
- JR DeRose finished the match with three saves, including the game-saving leap in the 91st minute.
RECORDS UPDATE
- Mercer: 4-1-2
- Evansville: 1-3-3
NEXT MATCH
- Mercer vs. Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 22 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.
Mercer v. East Tennessee State Women's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/26/2025
Saturday, September 27
Press Conference Mercer Football (Week 5 vs East Tennessee State)
Tuesday, September 23
Mercer 38, Citadel 0 | Postgame Press Conference (9/20/25)
Saturday, September 20
Mercer v U.T. Martin VB Highlight Reel: 9/20/2025
Saturday, September 20