Bears Unable To Keep Lead in 2-1 Defeat to Western Carolina

Sunday, October 8

Macon, Ga.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

8-3-5, 3-2-1

Western Carolina

8-3-3, 5-1-0

Western Caro.

Mercer

Bears Unable To Keep Lead in 2-1 Defeat to Western Carolina

10/8/2023 5:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Ciara Whitely scored less than two minutes in to game

MACON, Ga. – Mercer couldn't have scripted a much better start as Ciara Whitely scored 116 seconds in to the game, but two second half goals in a span of three minutes from Western Carolina helped the first place Catamounts escape Macon with a 2-1 win.

Whitely's goal in the second minute was her first goal of the season. It came directly off a Chandler Lewis-Jenkins throw in.

The Bears had a great chance to double its lead in the 24th minute when Larkin Thomason was fouled in the box. However, Kendall Cook's penalty kick was saved by Western Carolina's Leanne Trudel.

In the 30th minute Thomason had a header that hit the right post.

The Bears had the better of possession and scoring chances in the first half but had to settle for a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Catamounts scored in the 70th and 73rd minutes. The latter goal coming off Lewis-Jenkins clear that was blocked all the way back into Mercer's box where a Catamounts player got to the ball first and scored to put Western Carolina ahead 2-1 on just it's third shot on goal in the game.

Mercer's next opponent is Samford who has been one of the top teams in the SoCon and entered Sunday tied for second in the SoCon with Mercer. The Bears and Bulldogs will square off Thursday at 7 p.m. from Betts Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY
2'	MERCER GOAL: Ciara Whitely (1); ASSIST: Chandler Lewis-Jenkins
70'	WESTERN CAROLINA GOAL: Emma Soucy (1); ASSIST: Naya Marcil
73'	WESTERN CAROLINA GOAL: Abbie Lainhart (2)

TOP BEARS

+ Ciara Whitely put Mercer out in front early, giving the Bears momentum which they would carry throughout the first half.
+ Jamie Hlebec earned the Grit Chain as she was excellent in the back for the Bears.
+ Maria Karipidis got the start at forward for the Bears and did a good job up top and in the midfield while playing a season high 87 minutes.
+ Chandler Lewis-Jenkins played well at outside back, especially defensively as several times she used her speed to track back and prevent counter-attacks.

NOTABLES

+ Whitely's goal in the second minute was the earliest the Bears have scored in a game this season.
+ Mercer outshot Western Carolina 13-7 and held the Catamounts to just three shots on goal.
+ Kendall Cook led the Bears with six shots including three on goal.
+ The Bears have now scored in 15 consecutive games since a 0-0 season opening draw against Evansville.

UP NEXT

Mercer's next opponent is Samford who has been one of the top teams in the SoCon and entered Sunday tied for second in the SoCon with Mercer. The Bears and Bulldogs will square off Thursday at 7 p.m. from Betts Stadium.

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