Bears Remain on Fire Despite Weather Delay

Sunday, September 2

Boiling Springs, N.C.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

4-0

Gardner-Webb

0-3-1

Mercer

Gardner-Webb

Photo by: Todd Drexler

9/2/2018 6:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Mercer scored four unanswered goals to remain undefeated

By: David Fox

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Following a one-hour weather delay, the Mercer offense scored three unanswered goals in 23 minutes to shock Gardner-Webb 4-2, improving to 4-0 on the season. The Bears completed the come-from-behind victory thanks to four unanswered strikes beginning in the 58^th minute. Mercer continues its best start under current head coach Brad Ruzzo.

STAT OF THE MATCH
Mercer dominated the match in terms of shots, registering 21 shots compared to just eight for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The Bears also placed 13 shots on frame to just two from their opponents.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Ramario Thompson and Roberto Arteaga proved to be the difference makers in today's match, earning co-man of the match honors. Thompson found the back of the net twice, including the eventual game-winning goal in the 80^th minute of play. Arteaga picked up assist number two, three and four today, setting up the first three goals for Mercer.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time in defending their home turf, scoring in the fifth minute to take the early 1-0 lead. Gardner-Webb's goal was scored by Ismael Guerrero, his first of the season. Mercer outshot the Runnin' Bulldogs 6-2 over the next 20 minutes, however Grant Glorioso turned away four shots to preserve the clean sheet. Gardner-Webb then doubled its lead in the 28^th minute following a goal by Edin Hernandez, his first of the season.

The Bears found the goal they needed in the 58^th minute, cutting the Runnin' Bulldogs lead in half. With Mercer outshooting the host team, 13-6, it was the 14^th shot that proved to be the spark as Ramario Thompson scored his second goal of the season off a Mercer corner kick. Roberto Arteaga delivered the ball to Thompson for his second assist of the campaign.

With the momentum in favor of the Bears, lightning struck, literally. Nine minutes after Thompson's goal, the match was halted for just over one hour as a storm made its way through Boiling Springs.

The Bears came out of the rain delay with a purpose, scoring three goals in a matter of 23 minutes to upset the Runnin' Bulldogs on their home pitch. In the 75^th minute, Michael Ille netted the equalizer on his first goal in a Mercer uniform, assisted by Arteaga. Just five minutes later, Thompson recorded his second goal of the afternoon thanks to yet another beautiful connection between he and Arteaga off another corner kick, their second combo of the match.

Kobe Perez put the icing in the cake in the 87^th minute with his first goal of the season. The senior midfielder laced the ball into the back off the net off a free kick to extend the Bears' lead to 4-2.

NOTABLES

Mercer is now 8-4-1 against Gardner-Webb following today's victory in Boiling Springs.
The Bears are now 4-0 first the first time in the Brad Ruzzo era.
Arteaga recorded three assists for the first time in his career, besting his previous mark of two set last season against Georgia Southern.
Thompson found the back of the net twice for the first time in his collegiate career.
Mercer has now scored 12 goals in its first four games, nine more goals than last season's mark.
Mercer improved to 5-2-2 against Big South opponents since joining the SoCon in 2014.
Mercer is now 3-1-2 in the SoCon/Big South Challenge since joining the competition in 2016.

RECORDS UPDATE

Mercer: 4-0-0
Gardner-Webb: 0-3-1

NEXT MATCH

Mercer vs. Missouri State on Friday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill.

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.