Bears Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in SoCon Opener

Friday, March 5

Greenville, S.C.

6:00 PM

Mercer University

3-7-1, 0-1-0

Furman

1-0-0, 1-0-0

Mercer

Furman

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

Bears Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in SoCon Opener

3/6/2021 1:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Elizabeth Hargis scored her first career goal

By: Kraig Doremus

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Elizabeth Hargis netted a first half goal, but the Furman Paladins equalized and eventually scored the game-winner in double overtime to defeat the Mercer Bears, 2-1.

Mercer's Kylie Buchanan took the first shot of the match only 108 seconds after kickoff, but it was Furman that placed the first shot on target. Isabella Gutierrez sent the ball towards Jordyn Ebert in the sixth minute, but the senior goalkeeper remained calm and collected, scooping up the ball in the opening minutes.

Kendall Cook took the first corner kick of what was a very physical Southern Conference match, but the freshman was unable to get any momentum going for the Bears' attack. After a corner in the 37^th minutes, Gutierrez and Jasmine Greene challenged Ebert with back-to-back shots on target, but the veteran keeper saved both shots and sent the ball towards Mercer's attacking third.

The Paladins' Erin Houlihan recorded a shot off a corner in the 39^th minute, but Mercer struck first, pulling ahead in the 42^nd minute when Payton Schurr and Hargis connected for the goal. Schurr headed the ball back across the goal allowing Hargis to tap the ball into the back of the net for her first career goal.

Hargis' goal gave the Bears a 1-0 lead at the half. Coming out of the intermission, the Orange & Black's back line fended off numerous corners by the Paladins, and Ebert saved an attempt by Cameron Bolick in the 53^rd minute. For the visitors, Ally Fordham and Ciara Whitely both had solid attempts prior to the 60-minute mark. Fordham's attempt was saved, while Whitely had her attempt from the edge of the 18 blocked. The blocked proved to be a key moment for the Paladins as had the defender not managed to step in front, Whitely had placed the ball perfectly on line with the upper 90.

Furman got on the board in the 62^nd minute off a penalty kick. After a foul in the box, the Paladins' Ellie Laxer lined up at the penalty spot and sent the ball into the left side of the net as Ebert moved in the opposite direction and was unable to recover in time to make the save. Ebert did, however, make two saves to keep the match tied. Mercer's offense was unable to gain traction in the final minutes with numerous shots by Cook over the last six minutes of regulation landing high of the goal.

In the first overtime, the Bears' back line blocked Greene's attempt, while Ebert came up with a pivotal save in the 99^th minute to force a second overtime period. The Bears controlled the pace in the final overtime with three shots – all on target – in four minutes. Whitely, Aliah Kitchens and Nicole Icen all placed shots on goal albeit unsuccessfully. Furman needed just one opportunity to convert the game-winner. Following a foul in the 106^th minute, Furman's Laxer sent the ball to Kyndal Anderson on a set piece, and Anderson converted to give the Paladins a 2-1 win.

Coach Tony Economopoulos Quotable

"Tonight was a big match for us against our biggest rivals in Furman. I am proud of our team and how we started off tonight to take the lead. Unfortunately, Furman hit a penalty kick and won in [double] overtime. I was proud of our team for battling. Credit to our squad, we battled and had three or four solid chances to end the game. It was a repeat of last week where we commit a foul and allow the opponent to score on a set piece. [You have to give] credit to Furman for putting that chance away. It was a good match, a very physical match, and we hope to see the Paladins again in mid-April."

NOTABLES

Hargis scored her first career goal.
Schurr recorded her second career assist and first helper of the 2020-21 season.
Cook took a team-high three shots and is now tied with Kitchens for the team lead in shots with 20.
Whitely tied her season-high with a pair of shots.
Ebert made a season-high eight saves.
Ebert is two saves away from 50 for the 2020-21 campaign.
The match featured a combined 33 fouls and three yellow cards.
Tonight was the Bears' first of three consecutive matches in the Palmetto State. Mercer will take on Wofford (March 7) and The Citadel (March 12).

UP NEXT
Mercer will remain in the Palmetto State to take on Wofford on Sunday at 5 p.m. Fans can catch the match 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