Mercer Blanks Jacksonville on Sunday

Sunday, February 21

Jacksonville, Fla.

4 p.m.

Mercer University

2-5-0, 0-0-0

Jacksonville

0-2-1, 0-0-0

Mercer

Jacksonville

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

2/21/2021 9:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Brant Zulauf posted a three-save shutout for his first collegiate victory

By: Stephen Waldman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Mercer men's soccer team posted a 1-0 shutout victory at Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon.

Dylan Gaither netted his team-leading third goal of the season in the 70th minute as the Bears snapped a four-game losing skid. Mercer controlled the pace of play throughout the game, holding the advantage in shots (12-6), shots on goal (7-3) and corner kicks (6-3).

Mercer's defense kept the Dolphins uncomfortable in their attacking third throughout the match and limited the home team's chances. In goal, redshirt freshman Brant Zulauf made three saves in a shutout effort as he picked up the first win of his collegiate career.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears challenged JU's keeper early and often in the first half as a fleury of shots from Dawson Gideon, Andrew Anyafo and Gaither over a five-minute stretch forced Matt Levy to make three early saves. Jacksonville responded in the 14th minute as Jose Manzo fired a shot toward the top-right corner of the goal, but Zulauf was up to the task.

Michael Ille blasted a free kick from approximately 45-yards out toward the goal and set up a scoring opportunity for Gideon whose follow-up shot missed just wide of the target.

After heading into halftime with a scoreless draw, Jacksonville came out for the final 45 minutes and put the Bears on their heels. Mercer never waivered from its defensive structure throughout that time, however, as the visitors continued to stymie any offensive chances by the opposition.

Mercer finally broke through in the 70th minute to take a 1-0 lead. After turning the ball over in Jacksonville's end of the field, the Bears pressured the home team into a turnover. Gaither gathered the ball and worked a give-and-go with Gideon at the top of the box before the Lilburn, Ga., native fired a shot into the top corner on the far side of the goal.

From that point on, MU locked the Dolphins down as the home side managed only one shot throughout the final 30:32 of the game.

NOTABLES

Mercer picked up its first win since Sept. 22, snapping a four-game losing skid.
Zulauf earned his second career start in goal.
Zulauf notched his first-career win at Mercer with a three-save shutout.
Gaither recorded his team-leading third goal and seventh point of the season.
Gaither notched the eighth goal of his career and now has 20 points as a member of the Bears.

UP NEXT
The Bears Southern Conference play against UNCG as they return to Betts Stadium for the first time this spring on March 13. Opening kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.

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.