Cook's Goal Helps Mercer Defeat Rival Kennesaw State

Sunday, February 21

Macon, Ga.

4:00 PM

Mercer University

3-5-1, 0-0-0

Kennesaw State

1-2-0, 0-0-0

Kennesaw St.

Mercer

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

Cook's Goal Helps Mercer Defeat Rival Kennesaw State

2/21/2021 7:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Kendall Cook has scored four goals in Mercer's last two matches.

By: Kraig Doremus

MACON, Ga. – Kendall Cook scored her fourth goal of the 2020-21 season in the 54^th minute to help the Mercer Bears defeat in-state rival Kennesaw State, 1-0.

Mercer controlled the tempo early, recording five shots in the first eight minutes. Cook and Kylie Buchanan each had a pair of shots with Buchanan's first try being on target. In the eighth minute, Ally Fordham nearly scored her fifth goal of the year, but the ball was snatched up by Kennesaw State's Dylan Pixton. Over the next 15 minutes, the Orange & Black continued to put pressure on the Owls with four corner kicks and two shots on goal – one from Ciara Whitely and one from Aliah Kitchens. In the 25^th minute, a strike from Buchanan almost found the back of the net as Mercer continued to possess the ball in its attacking third.

The Owls did not challenge Jordyn Ebert until the 30^th minute when Hayley Dekker forced Ebert to reach high and make a stop to preserve the scoreless tie. Less than two minutes later, Kennesaw State's Erin Harris fired a shot towards the goal, but it did little to worry Ebert, landing wide left of the net.

For Mercer, Nicole Icen had the final shot of the half on goal in the 35^th minute. The Owls' first of two late opportunities came when Kendall Hart recorded a shot following a corner kick. Hart was unable to place the ball on target, but a foul by the Bears gave the visitors a chance to a take 1-0 lead in the half, however, hey the referee raised his flag to signal offsides. A calm final 1:37 of the opening 45 minutes sent the two teams into the break scoreless.

Coming out of the half, Cook fired a missile toward the upper 90 from the edge of the 18, forcing Paxton to scramble to make a stop and quickly send the ball away from the Mercer's forwards. Eight minutes later, Cook found herself with a prime opportunity to score, and promptly placed the ball in the back of the net. Fordham played the ball to Whitely who found Cook on the left edge of the 18. The freshman from Alpharetta, Ga., sent a scorcher past Paxton to give Mercer a 1-0 lead.

Ebert made back-to-back saves in the 63^rd and 65^th minutes to maintain the clean sheet. Mercer responded to its opponent's chances, regaining possession and taking pressure off Ebert. The Bears recorded four shots and a corner kick over the next 13 minutes but were unable to push their lead to two goals.

Kennesaw State's best attempt at the equalizer came in the 87^th minute. The Owls put immense pressure on the Bears' defensive unit with a scramble for the ball eventually resulting in an indirect free kick from three yards diagonal to the penalty spot. Dekker made the pass to Kendall Higgs who sent the ball towards the center of the goal directly at Ebert. Ebert jumped slightly and bobbled the ball before recovering and allowing Mercer to regain control. An all-out offensive attack for Kennesaw State was unsuccessful with Mercer sending the ball towards its attacking third in the final seconds to shutout the visitors from Kennesaw and remain undefeated in Betts Stadium this spring.

The Orange & Black outshot the Owls, 17-9, and held a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal. Mercer attempted eight corner kicks to Kennesaw State's two. Cook and Buchanan led the Bears with five shots each, while Kitchens took a pair of shots. In goal, Ebert picked up the win and made three stops. The Owls' Paxton was credited with nine saves in the loss.

Coach Tony Economopoulos Quotables

ON A BIG WIN
"It was a great team performance. We had a good week of training following the Wesleyan match. It was a long week for us, but we prepared well for the contest and matched Kennesaw State's physical play. We were aggressive early, and I was proud of our effort. We played hard for 90 minutes and are happy to get a win to stay undefeated at home this spring."

ON THE EMERGENCE OF KENDALL COOK
"She came in a year early. As someone who is younger, she had to get her feet wet and understand not only the system but the rigors of college whether it be classes, treatment, training or strength and conditioning. She has adjusted well. We knew she was an outstanding player, and it would just take time for her to get acclimated [to the college game] and play at her full potential."

ON THE PLAY OF THE BACK LINE
"Our back line did a good job. On Monday, we emphasized defensive shape and pressure. I was proud of our effort because Kennesaw State has some athletic players."

NOTABLES

Mercer defeated Kennesaw State for the fifth time in program history. The Bears have beaten the Owls in back-to-back seasons.
Cook scored her fourth goal of the 2020-21 campaign.
Ebert made three stops in the win and now has 300 saves for her career.
The Bears' set a new season-high with eight corner kicks.
Buchanan and Cook each took five shots in the victory.
Mercer attempted 17 shots for the third time this season.
The Bears placed 58.8 percent of their shots on goal. Mercer has put at least half its shots on target in five matches.
Mercer outshot the opposition for the fifth time in the 2020-21 season.

UP NEXT
Mercer will conclude it's the non-conference portion of its schedule when it hosts Troy at 5 p.m. on February 28.

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