Bears Host 21st-Ranked UNCG In SoCon Opener Saturday

Saturday, October 5

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

UNC Greensboro

Bears Host 21st-Ranked UNCG In SoCon Opener Saturday

10/4/2024 9:24:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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

MACON - The Mercer men's soccer team opens SoCon play on Saturday, hosting the UNC Greensboro Spartans. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

MATCH INFO
Date | Time: Saturday, October 5 | 7:00 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (4-2-4 overall, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs #21 UNC Greensboro (4-1-3 overall, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Betts Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Stats
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_MSoccer

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's match marks the 21^st meeting between the Bears and Spartans. The two teams last met in the SoCon quarterfinals a year ago, with Mercer taking a 3-1 victory. Nick Wanzer, Ehi Aimiuwu and Barzee Blama each scored for the Bears. UNCG leads the all-time series 10-7-3.

LAST TIME OUT
Mercer moved to 3-0 at Betts Stadium last Saturday, using a second half outburst to defeat Air Force 3-0.

It was a career night for Segun Afolabi, as the senior forward scored twice and added an assist to power the Mercer attack. Afolabi's five points were the most by a Bear since current assistant coach Dylan Gaither scored six points on August 25, 2022.

Following a scoreless first half, Afolabi opened the scoring in the 51^st minute off of a cross from Kadeem Agard. Mercer would score again in the 80^th minute, as a long throw in from Nick Wanzer was headed by Afolabi to Barzee Blama, who headed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Afolabi secured a brace in the 85^th minute, collecting an errant Air Force pass at the top of the box and ripping a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Goalkeeper Trevor McMullen made five saves in the match to collect his nation-leading seventh clean sheet of the season. On Tuesday, Afolabi and McMullen were named the Southern Conference offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

SCOUTING UNC GREENSBORO
UNC Greensboro enters Saturday's match with a 4-1-3 record on the year. The Spartans last time out came on Tuesday, a 2-1 road win against Virginia. UNCG currently sits at #21 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll.

Sophomore Enzo Dovlo leads the Spartans and the SoCon with 9 points this season, including four goals. Redshirt sophomore Seth Wilson is the only keeper to have seen action for UNCG this year, posting a 0.75 goals allowed average with a .813 save percentage.