Kadeem Agard's Hat Trick Lifts Bears Over VMI

Saturday, October 12

Lexington, VA

1 p.m.

Mercer University

5-2-5, 1-0-1

VMI

4-6-2, 0-2-0

Mercer

VMI

Kadeem Agard's Hat Trick Lifts Bears Over VMI

10/12/2024 3:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Donovan Schulz, donovan.schultz@live.mercer.edu

LEXINGTON, Va. – Mercer's Kadeem Agard picked up a hat trick to lead the Bears to a 3-0 win over VMI on Saturday afternoon.

Agard's first goal put the Bears ahead early, coming in the fourth minute of action. Woodi Pondeca sent a free kick from midfield down near the right side of the back line, where it was headed by Nick Wanzer in front of the box. The ball found Agard, who finished a shot from point blank to score. The goal marked the second time this season that Agard has scored in the first four minutes of play.

The Bears would put up three more shots, with two coming on goal, in the first period, but the score would remain 1-0 at halftime.

Mercer extended the lead in the 55^th minute, scoring on a set piece. Carlos Santamaria sent a corner kick in front of the goal for Agard to head into the back of the net to make the score 2-0.

Agard completed the hat trick in the 78^th minute of play, scoring his third of the match. Grant Hampton sent a ball into the box, that, after being knocked down, was collected by Agard, who buried a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

The hat trick was the first by Bear since November 7, 2021, when current assistant coach Dylan Gaither scored three times in a win over Furman.

For the match, Mercer held a 14-11 edge in shots and a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal.

The Bears move to 5-2-5 on the season and 1-0-1 in SoCon play with the win.

SCORING SUMMARY

4' MERCER GOAL; Kadeem Agard ASSIST: Nick Wanzer, Woodi Pondeca
55' MERCER GOAL: Kadeem Agard; ASSIST: Carlos Santamaria
78' MERCER GOAL: Kadeem Agard; ASSIST: Grant Hampton, Barzee Blama

TOP BEARS

+ Kadeem Agard scored three times to bring his season total to four goals, tied for the most in the SoCon
+ Trevor McMullen tallied his eighth shutout of the season to extend his NCAA lead. He made two saves on the day
+ Sekou Agard, Natnael McDonald, Nick Wanzer and Kadeem Agard played all 90 minutes of the match

UP NEXT
Mercer is back in action on Tuesday, traveling to Atlanta to take on Georgia State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.