Bears Draw In Hard-Fought Battle With 21st Ranked UNCG

Saturday, October 5

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

4-2-5, 0-0-1

UNC Greensboro

4-1-4, 0-0-1

UNC Greensboro

Mercer

Bears Draw In Hard-Fought Battle With 21st Ranked UNCG

10/5/2024 9:37:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Donovan Schultz

MACON – Mercer's Barzee Blama delivered a highlight-reel bicycle kick goal in the 21^st minute, but #21 UNC Greensboro was able to equalize late in the second half to end Saturday night's SoCon opener in a 1-1 draw.

Mercer dominated much of the first half, owning a 6-3 advantage in shots and a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. The Bears scored the first goal of the night when Carlos Santamaria delivered a corner kick into the box that, after a touch from Nick Wanzer and a UNCG defender, found Blama. With his back turned to the goal, he struck a bicycle kick that kicked off of the right post and trickled past the goal line to put the Bears on top.

Goalkeeper Trevor McMullen collected two saves in the first period, and Mercer took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half of the match was highly contested, with both sides seeing scoring chances. However, the Spartans were able to equalize in the 83^rd minute, as Jack Birch ripped a shot from 25 yards out that found the bottom left corner of the goal.

A minute later, UNCG had another opportunity to score, but McMullen made a great save to keep the match level. He finished the night with three saves.

For the match, Mercer held a 10-6 advantage in shots and a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Bears also held the edge in corner kicks at 6-2.

The Bears move to 4-2-5 on the season and 0-0-1 in SoCon play with the draw.

SCORING SUMMARY

21' MERCER GOAL: Barzee Blama; ASSIST: Carlos Santamaria, Nick Wanzer
83' UNCG GOAL: Jack Birch; ASSIST: None

TOP BEARS

+ Barzee Blama scored the lone Mercer goal of the night and put up a team leading six shots, including four on target
+ Six Bears – Sekou Agard, Natnael McDonald, Carlos Santamaria, Nick Wanzer, Kadeem Agard and Woodi Pondeca - played the full 90 minutes
+ Carlos Santamaria nearly scored in the 78^th minute, but saw his free kick hit the post

UP NEXT
Mercer takes on VMI in a road conference matchup next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.