Mercer Drops First Game Of Season At North Florida, 2-1

Sunday, September 1

Jacksonville, Fla.

5 p.m.

Mercer University

4-1-1, 0-0-0

North Florida

3-1-2, 0-0-0

Mercer

North Florida

Mercer Drops First Game Of Season At North Florida, 2-1

9/1/2024 9:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Thomason scored Mercer's lone goal of game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mercer scored first in the opening 10 minutes, but were unable to add on as North Florida handed the Bears their first loss of the season by the final of 2-1 Sunday evening from Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

It was a highly competitive, back-and-forth game on a hot and humid Florida evening. Each team had seven shots on goal with the Ospreys putting three on goal to Mercer's two.

In the eighth minute, Mercer earned a corner kick which was taken from Sara Engels who put the ball near post and was headed into the back of the net by Larkin Thomason for already her sixth goal of the season.

Sydney Farr had a great chance in the 35th minute when she curled a right-footed shot headed for the top right corner but the North Florida goalie made a great save to keep the score at 1-0, Mercer.

North Florida found an equalizer in the final minutes before halftime to make it a 1-1 game af the half.

In the second half each team had a few chances going forward but both defenses were stout in not giving up any quality chances. Then, in the 70th minute, North Florida's leading returning goal scorer from last season, Paige McSwigan took a free kick outside the box the hit off the crossbar and went in to put the Ospreys ahead, 2-1.

Mercer pressed forward and had a few shots on goal but were unable to tie the game in the final 20 minutes.

SCORING SUMMARY
8'	MERCER GOAL: Larkin Thomason (6) ASSIST: Sara Engels
40'	NORTH FLORIDA GOAL: Mason Frey ASSIST: Brookllynn Fugel, Kayla Bond
70'	NORTH FLORIDA GOAL: Paige McSwigan ASSIST: None

TOP BEARS

+ Larkin Thomason continues to be a threat going forward for the Bears as she has scored in each of the last four games.
+ Sara Engels assisted on Thomason's goal and was strong in the midfield for the Bears.

NOTABLES

+ Thomason's goal was the first goal allowed at home by North Florida this season in four games.
+ Thomason has scored in four consecutive games and leads the SoCon with six goals on the year.
+ It was the first game this season the Bears failed to score at least two goals.
+ Mercer has held all six of its opponents this season to less than 10 shots in the game.

UP NEXT

Mercer welcomes Big Ten member, Illinois to Betts Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

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SUPPORT THE BEARS

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