Back in Action

MACON, Ga. – The Bears will return to action following a week away from games for their inaugural Big South contest and another versus a former league foe.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: Mercer Bears (3-2, 0-0 Big South) at Presbyterian Blue Hose (2-6, 0-0 Big South)
Date: Friday, March 25 • 3 p.m.
Location: Johnson Field • Clinton, S.C.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Watch Live: ESPN+

SERIES HISTORY
This is the fifth all-time meeting between Mercer and Presbyterian. The Bears hold the 3-1 lead over the Blue Hose and have a 1-1 record when playing in Clinton. Mercer took a resounding 21-7 win when these two last met, in March 2018 at Five Star Stadium.

SCOUTING MERCER
Mercer will enter Big South play with a 3-2 record and having split their last four. Hailey Rhatigan leads the Bears' offense with 20 goals and six assists through the five played, and seven of those scored have come from eight meters. Isea Cryne has spent the bulk amount of time between the pipe for The Orange & Black, totaling over 280 minutes in net and has made 41 stops. Ainsley Malamala and Emma Pizzo have combined for 13 turnovers caused while Kayla Soltys leads the team with 17 successful draw controls.

SCOUTING PRESBYTERIAN
The Blue Hose carry a 2-6 mark into the league opener and have dropped their last two following an eight-goal win over Delaware State in mid-March. Abby Edmisten, a midfielder, leads Presbyterian's attack with 25 points on 22 goals and a trio of assists. Kendall Goldfarb, a defender, paces the Blue Hose with 11 turnovers caused. In goal, Heidi Shafer has stopped 65 shots in almost 400 minutes on the season.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: Mercer Bears (3-2, 0-0 Big South) vs. Stetson Hatters (3-6, 0-0 ASUN)
Date: Sunday, March 27 • Noon
Location: Five Star Stadium • Macon, Ga.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Watch Live: ESPN+

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer and Stetson will meet for the sixth time on Sunday, with the Bears holding onto the 5-0 series lead. Four of the five meetings have been one-goal affairs. In the last time these sides met, Hailey Rhatigan tallied four goals in a 20-13 win over the Hatters in April 2019.

SCOUTING STETSON
Stetson will come to Five Star Stadium looking to snap a two-game skid from defeats to Gardner-Webb and 11^th-ranked Florida. Samantha Paglino leads the Hatters with 20 points on 16 scores and four points, as well as being a perfect 4-for-4 on eight-meter opportunities. Maria Snee paces Stetson with 21 draw controls and Molly Kearney's 19 follows closely. Kiera McCarthy has seen the bulk of time in net for the Hatters - having spent 360 minutes between the pipes – where she's stopped 47 shots on frame.

HEADSTRONG HAIR HAVOC GAME
In support of the HEADstrong Foundation, Mercer has been raising money in support of those who are affected by cancer. The foundation, based in Philadelphia, provides resources for patients and their families who are receiving specialized care.

Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Lacrosse, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWLAX (Twitter) and @Mercerwlax (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

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Players Mentioned

Ainsley Malamala

Emma Pizzo

Hailey Rhatigan

Kayla Soltys

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