Friday, November 4
Johnson City, TN
3 PM
Mercer University
7-4-6, 2-1-2
2
vs
1
Virginia Military Institute
2-14-1, 0-5-0
1
2
F
VMI
0
1
1
Mercer
1
1
2
Team Stats
VMI
MERCER
Goals
1
2
Shots
5
18
Shots on Goal
3
8
Saves
6
2
Corners
3
6
Fouls
13
13
Scoring Plays
Michael Ille (7)
Assisted By: Ousman Jabang
GOAL by MERCER Ille, Michael Assist by Jabang, Ousman.
16:56
Sekou Agard (2)
Assisted By: Dylan Gaither
GOAL by MERCER Agard, Sekou Assist by Gaither, Dylan.
67:35
Grant Martin (3)
Assisted By: Nathan Lam
GOAL by VMI Martin, Grant Assist by Lam, Nathan.
81:32
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Photo by: Mark Powell
Bears Advance To Semifinals
11/4/2022 6:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Top VMI, 2-1
Johnson City, Tenn.—The Mercer Bears' men's soccer team took the first step toward repeating as Southern Conference Tournament champion with a 2-1 win over Virginia Military Institute Friday in Johnson City, Tennessee.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears had the territorial advantage of play through the first portion of the opening half. Mercer took the lead 17 minutes in when Ousman Jabang chipped a ball behind the VMI back line. On one bounce Michael Ille was able to beat onrushing VMI goalkeeper Gabe Calhoun to the ball and with his left foot, deftly put it into the Keydet goal.
In the second half the Bears scored directly off a beautifully placed corner kick by Dylan Gaither. Sekou Agard, joined the attack in the six-yard box and was able to outjump everyone to the ball for a 2-0 Bears lead in the 67th minute.
But with eight and a half minutes left, Grant Martin scored assisted by Nathan Lam to bring VMI within a goal. The Bears were able to hold on to advance to the semifinals.
NOTABLES
UP NEXT
The SoCon tournament moves into the semifinal round on Sunday Nov. 6. The Bears will play number two seed East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn., at 3 p.m. Furman defeated Wofford 3-2 on Friday and will play North Carolina Greensboro in the other semifinal on Sunday.
FOLLOW THE BEARSÂ
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.Â
Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears had the territorial advantage of play through the first portion of the opening half. Mercer took the lead 17 minutes in when Ousman Jabang chipped a ball behind the VMI back line. On one bounce Michael Ille was able to beat onrushing VMI goalkeeper Gabe Calhoun to the ball and with his left foot, deftly put it into the Keydet goal.
In the second half the Bears scored directly off a beautifully placed corner kick by Dylan Gaither. Sekou Agard, joined the attack in the six-yard box and was able to outjump everyone to the ball for a 2-0 Bears lead in the 67th minute.
But with eight and a half minutes left, Grant Martin scored assisted by Nathan Lam to bring VMI within a goal. The Bears were able to hold on to advance to the semifinals.
NOTABLES
- Mercer is now 17-0 all-time against VMI
- Ille's goal was his fourth straight in the past two games for the Bears
- Mercer out shot VMI 18-5 (8-3 shots on goal)
UP NEXT
The SoCon tournament moves into the semifinal round on Sunday Nov. 6. The Bears will play number two seed East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn., at 3 p.m. Furman defeated Wofford 3-2 on Friday and will play North Carolina Greensboro in the other semifinal on Sunday.
FOLLOW THE BEARSÂ
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.Â
Â
Mercer 38, Citadel 0 | Postgame Press Conference (9/20/25)
Saturday, September 20
Mercer v U.T. Martin VB Highlight Reel: 9/20/2025
Saturday, September 20
Mercer v North Dakota VB Highlight Reel: 9/19/2025
Saturday, September 20
Mercer v West Georgia VB Highlight Reel: 9/18/2025
Friday, September 19
