Bears Drop Match to The Citadel, 3-2

Friday, October 9

Macon, Ga.

2:00 PM

Mercer University

1-2-1, 0-0-0

The Citadel

3-2-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
The Citadel	2	1	3
Mercer	1	1	2

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

10/9/2020 4:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Pace Stephenson and Aliah Kitchens scored for the Bears.

By: Kraig Doremus

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Bears rallied back from a two-goal deficit against The Citadel Bulldogs, but the Bulldogs used a goal with less than three minutes to go to secure a 3-2 victory in Macon.

The Citadel's (3-2-2) Logan Dix converted a penalty kick 2:08 into the match and extended her team's lead to 2-0 in the 13^th minute when she scored for the second time.

Despite the early deficit, the Bears battled back with a ferocity to tie the contest. Jordyn Ebert and Mercer back line held The Citadel at bay while charging back to tie the contest.

After Ebert made two saves in a nine second span with less than 20 minutes to go in the first half, the Bears gained possession and Ciara Whitely took a shot from eight yards out. The Citadel's Jess Newton deflected the ball back to Whitely and Pace Stephenson converted to make it a 2-1 contest.

Abigail Zoeller took the Bears' final attempt of the half, but it was saved by Newton, and at the half, the visitors from Charleston held a 2-1 lead.
In the 54^th minute, Elizabeth Hargis' attempt at the equalizer sailed high of the net, but it wouldn't be long until Mercer knotted the score at two. Aliah Kitchens dribbled into the box in the 61^st minute and was fouled by Newton, who came out to attempt to make a sliding stop yet was unsuccessful. Following a yellow card on Newton, Kitchens sent the ball past the diving keeper to make it a 2-2 score.

With the momentum on Mercer's side, head coach Tony Economopoulos' Bears began to steadily control the momentum. Beginning in the 74^th minute, Mercer quickly had three consecutive shots, but could not take the lead.

Ultimately, the Bulldogs would convert when Rachel Posner's corner kick found the foot of Suzuka Yosue inside the six. Yosue sent the ball to Ani Ford, who was parallel to her and eight yards away. Ford's attempt got by Ebert, and The Citadel held on for 3:38 to secure the win.

COACH TONY ECONOMOPOULOS QUOTABLES

ON BEING BEHIND EARLY BUT BATTLING BACK."
"We came out flat. We'll figure out why that happened. We got in a hole early by giving up a penalty kick and another goal 10 minutes later. Our team responded well midway through the first and during the second half. It was a good effort, and we had chances to win. You have to credit The Citadel. They stuck to their gameplan and scored the third goal off a set piece. You can't concede goals like that against them. We'll work on it Monday and get better."

NOTABLES

Stephenson's goal was her first of the 2020 campaign while it was Kitchens' second.
Zoeller placed all three of her shots on target.
The contest was the second consecutive match to end in 90 minutes for Mercer, but first loss in regulation. The Bears have now played two overtime contests and two that ended in regular time.
Ebert made a season-high seven saves in the net.
Each team took 13 shots, but the Bears held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks.

UP NEXT
Mercer will play twice next week – first at Georgia State (Oct. 15) and then back at Betts Stadium for senior night (Oct. 17). The senior night match is set for 6:00 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) and @MercerWSoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com