Bears Can't Overcome Slow Start In 13-9 Loss At Vanderbilt

Wednesday, March 13

Nashville, Tenn.

12 p.m. CT

Mercer University

3-3

Vanderbilt

5-2

Mercer

Vanderbilt

Bears Can't Overcome Slow Start In 13-9 Loss At Vanderbilt

3/13/2024 4:38:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Despite a slow offensive start, Mercer got within three goals of Vanderbilt but couldn't complete the comeback in a 13-9 loss in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday.

Vanderbilt held Mercer scoreless in the first quarter but Mercer's defense was also up to the task holding Vanderbilt to just two goals in a low scoring first quarter. The Bears got within three goals in the second half, but Vanderbilt held Mercer off to earn the win.

Shots on goal were 23-18 in favor of Vanderbilt. The draw controls were close with the Bears holding a slight 14-12 advantage in that department. Kayla Soltys led the Bears with six draw controls and in doing so got her 250th career draw control.

Caroline Glus led Mercer offensively with three goals. Kate Vanderlinde was excellent in goal for the Bears, coming up with 10 saves on the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Each team played well defensively in the early going and both goalies came up with some big saves to turn away the offenses. Vanderbilt led 2-0 after the first quarter.

Kaileigh Wallace scored from the free position for Mercer's first goal of the game to make it 3-1. The Commodores would score the next four goals and took an 8-2 lead into halftime.

To start the second half, Caroline Glus scored a hat trick in just over two minutes to begin the half to pull Mercer within three at 8-5. However, Vanderbilt would respond by scoring the next three goals to push their lead back to six at 11-5. The Commodores scored two goals in the first couple of minutes in the fourth quarter to take a 13-6 lead. Mercer would score the last three goals of the game.

NOTABLES

Kayla Soltys led Mercer with six draw controls and earned her 250th career draw control
Mercer went 3-for-8 on free position shots to Vanderbilt's 4-for-5
Vanderlinde made 10 saves in goal. She has made at least 10 saves in three out of Mercer's six games this season
Vanderbilt had 23 shots on goal, the second fewest Mercer has allowed in a game this season

Up Next for Mercer is a trip to Gainesville, Florida to play the No. 13 Florida Gators on Saturday at noon.

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