Team Stats
MER
CIT
Goals
3
2
Shots
18
16
Shots on Goal
9
8
Saves
6
6
Corners
8
5
Fouls
12
9
Scoring Plays

Nicole Icen (6)
Assisted By: Ciara Whitely
GOAL by MER Icen, Nicole Assist by Whitely, Ciara.
37:05

Suzuka Yosue (4)
CIT Suzuka Yosue PENALTY KICK GOAL.
57:08

Lexy Kendro (2)
Assisted By: Elisa Fuentes , Jimena Risoto
GOAL by CIT Kendro, Lexy Assist by Fuentes, Elisa and Risoto, Jimena.
58:10

0
GOAL by MER TEAM.
85:32

Nicole Icen (6)
Assisted By: Aliah Kitchens , Sydney Farr
GOAL by MER Icen, Nicole Assist by Kitchens, Aliah and Farr, Sydney.
87:28
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned

Nicole Icen (17) scored two goals against The Citadel
Photo by: Katie Linkner
Late Rally For Dramatic Win
10/14/2022 6:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Bears Top Citadel In Key Matchup
Charleston, S.C.—The Mercer Bears' women's soccer team won a back and forth battle with The Citadel 3-2 in a Southern Conference game Oct. 14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, the Bears (8-3-5 overall, 3-1-3 SoCon) found themselves behind early in the second half. The Citadel (8-7-0 overall, 3-4-0 SoCon) drew even when leading scorer Suzuka Yosue scored a penalty kick goal 12 minutes into the second half. It was only a minute later when Lexy Kendro got to a ball behind Mercer goalkeeper Lindsay Bell and finished off the scoring play that suddenly had the Bulldogs on top, 2-1.
With the clock winding down to less than five minutes, Bears defender Jamie Hlebec lauched a long ball into The Citadel penalty area. Defender Celeste Nader jumped to head the ball clear, but it skimmed off the top of her head, and changed direction enough that goalkeeper Brie Sikes couldn't get enough of a hand on it, and the ball sailed into The Citadel net, officially credited as an own goal.
Buoyed by the tying goal, Mercer moved smartly down the field with a precision passing game. Nicole Icen led Kendall Cook who carried into the right corner. She worked the ball beautifully into the goal area for Aliah Kitchens. With her back to the goal, she was able to pass to Sydney Farr. Farr's shot was blocked at the defense, but came right out front to Icen who one-timed a right foot shot into the lower left corner, for a 3-2 lead, just under two minutes after the Bears had tied it. Icen's goal--her second of the game—came with just two and a half minutes left and the Bears were able to hold on for the win.
The Bears had glorious scoring chances early. In the first 10 minutes, Mackenzie Gassie knocked down a clearing attempt, but her shot from the top of the penalty area just went over the crossbar. Midway through the half, Ciara Whitely curled one toward the right post that eluded goalkeeper Brie Sikes but was knocked out of mid air by defender Grace Duncan. With 21 minutes left in the half, Cook had a penalty kick but Sikes diving to her left, punched the ball clear.
Icen was finally able to break through getting a cross from Whitely at the top of the six-yard box and poke it past the on rushing Sikes for her fifth goal of the season. The Bears took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Up Next
The Bears return home to play VMI on Friday Oct. 21. The Citadel hosts UNC-Greensboro on Oct. 21.
FOLLOW THE BEARS Â
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), MercerWSoccer (Instagram) and /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.Â
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, the Bears (8-3-5 overall, 3-1-3 SoCon) found themselves behind early in the second half. The Citadel (8-7-0 overall, 3-4-0 SoCon) drew even when leading scorer Suzuka Yosue scored a penalty kick goal 12 minutes into the second half. It was only a minute later when Lexy Kendro got to a ball behind Mercer goalkeeper Lindsay Bell and finished off the scoring play that suddenly had the Bulldogs on top, 2-1.
With the clock winding down to less than five minutes, Bears defender Jamie Hlebec lauched a long ball into The Citadel penalty area. Defender Celeste Nader jumped to head the ball clear, but it skimmed off the top of her head, and changed direction enough that goalkeeper Brie Sikes couldn't get enough of a hand on it, and the ball sailed into The Citadel net, officially credited as an own goal.
Buoyed by the tying goal, Mercer moved smartly down the field with a precision passing game. Nicole Icen led Kendall Cook who carried into the right corner. She worked the ball beautifully into the goal area for Aliah Kitchens. With her back to the goal, she was able to pass to Sydney Farr. Farr's shot was blocked at the defense, but came right out front to Icen who one-timed a right foot shot into the lower left corner, for a 3-2 lead, just under two minutes after the Bears had tied it. Icen's goal--her second of the game—came with just two and a half minutes left and the Bears were able to hold on for the win.
The Bears had glorious scoring chances early. In the first 10 minutes, Mackenzie Gassie knocked down a clearing attempt, but her shot from the top of the penalty area just went over the crossbar. Midway through the half, Ciara Whitely curled one toward the right post that eluded goalkeeper Brie Sikes but was knocked out of mid air by defender Grace Duncan. With 21 minutes left in the half, Cook had a penalty kick but Sikes diving to her left, punched the ball clear.
Icen was finally able to break through getting a cross from Whitely at the top of the six-yard box and poke it past the on rushing Sikes for her fifth goal of the season. The Bears took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
NOTABLESThe Bears get a big win and pick up three important points in the SOCON standings. pic.twitter.com/jIOqCC24Sh
— Mercer Women's Soccer (@MercerWSoccer) October 14, 2022
- The teams entered the game each with nine points in the SoCon standings. Mercer now has 12 to The Citadel's nine.
- Icen now has six goals tying her with Cook, and Jada Moorman for the team lead
- The Bears finish the regular season on the road at 2-3-3
Up Next
The Bears return home to play VMI on Friday Oct. 21. The Citadel hosts UNC-Greensboro on Oct. 21.
FOLLOW THE BEARS Â
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), MercerWSoccer (Instagram) and /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.Â
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