Bears Return to Betts Stadium This Weekend

Friday, March 19

Macon, Ga.

7:00 PM

Mercer University

UNCG

Photo by: Kurt Ebert

3/18/2021 11:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Mercer will host UNCG and VMI

By: Kraig Doremus

MACON, Ga. – Fresh off an overtime road win against The Citadel, the Mercer Bears will return to Betts Stadium on Friday for its first of two weekend matches. The Bears will host UNCG on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on VMI at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

UNCG MATCH INFO
Date: Friday, March 19, 2021 | 7:00 p.m.
Teams: UNCG Spartans at Mercer Bears
Location: Macon, Ga. | Betts Stadium
Live Stats: bit.ly/3eEbfw9
Twitter Updates: @MercerWSoccer

SERIES HISTORY | LAST MEETING
UNCG leads the series, 7-1-1. Mercer suffered a 2-0 defeat in 2019 as UNCG used a pair of second half goals to top the Bears. Gracie Timbario scored in the 59^th minute, and Grace Regal netted a goal 11 minutes lead to lead the Spartans to a 2-0 victory. Despite the loss, Jordyn Ebert was fantastic in goal with a season-high 13 stops.

SCOUTING THE BEARS
Mercer is coming off a 2-1 overtime win at The Citadel, its fourth straight OT match. Kendall Cook netted the equalizer in the 80^th minute, and Ally Fordham came up big for the Bears in extra time. Fordham's team-best seventh goal, which was assisted by Cook and Payton Schurr, lifted the Bears past the Bulldogs, 2-1. Mercer improved to 2-1-0 in Southern Conference matches. While Fordahm leads the Bears with seven goals, Cook and Aliah Kitchens are tied for second with five goals each. Kitchens has a team-high three helpers, and five other players have recorded a pair of assists. Ebert has been consistent in goal throughout the season with 57 stops.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
UNCG enters Friday's match with a 1-3-1 record and 1-2-1 mark in Southern Conference play. The Spartans' lone win came against the Western Carolina Catamounts on March 7, and they are coming off a 1-0 loss to first-place Furman last Sunday. Ashley Avelino leads UNCG with two goals while Caroline Woods has one. Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper has started four-of-six matches in goal and has made 20 stops. Tyler-Cooper was credited with the Spartans' lone win this season. Kelley Mitchell and Abby Buchholz have also started matches.

VMI MATCH INFO
Date: Sunday, March 21, 2021 | 2:00 p.m.
Teams: VMI Keydets at Mercer Bears
Location: Macon, Ga. | Betts Stadium
Live Stats: bit.ly/3qQCq9x
Twitter Updates: @MercerWSoccer

SERIES HISTORY | LAST MEETING
Mercer is 6-1-0 all-time against the Keydets and topped VMI last season, 2-0, in Lexington, Va. Nicole Icen accounted for both goals in the win, scoring in the 51^st and 61^st minutes respectively. Mercer outshot VMI in the win, 19-13, and held an 8-5 advantage in corners. The physical Southern Conference match featured 25 fouls. The Bears are seeking their seventh win over VMI and third in as many seasons.

NOTABLES

Mercer is riding a two-match winning streak.
Fordham has scored three goals in the Orange & Black's last two matches.
Ebert is five saves away from tying Teresa Patterson for second all-time in Mercer women's soccer history.
Ebert recently tied Patterson for third all-time in wins with 28 in a Mercer uniform.
Mercer is 3-3 in the state of Georgia this season
The Bears have played three spring matches in Betts Stadium and are 2-1 overall.

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