Bears Drop 2-1 Decision To Davidson

Tuesday, September 17

Davidson, N.C.

6:30 p.m.

Mercer University

3-2-3, 0-0-0

Davidson

1-2-4, 0-0-0

Mercer

Davidson

9/17/2024 9:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

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

DAVIDSON, N.C. – A late penalty kick goal by Davidson's Denis Krioutchenkov proved to be the difference in Tuesday's match, as Mercer fell to the Wildcats by a score of 2-1.

Carlos Santamaria did the scoring for the Bears, tallying his second goal of the season in the 59^th minute.

After seeing a shot hit the post in the 12^th minute, Davidson was able to open the scoring in the 18^th minute on a goal by Nico Quanbeck. Mercer nearly responded in the 35^th minute, as Tomas Morales saw his header go just wide of the right post.

Bears goalkeeper Trevor McMullen recorded two saves in the final six minutes of the half, and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Mercer came out of the half aggressive, with Santamaria, Fernando Arteaga and Ehi Aimiuwu each firing a shot in the first 12 minutes of the second period. In the 59^th minute, Santamaria took the ball from a Wildcat in the middle third of the field and was able to dribble to the top of the box, where he buried a shot off of his left foot for an equalizing goal.

The score would remain even for the next 18 minutes, with both sides putting up shots. However, a Mercer foul in the box earned the Wildcats a penalty kick in the 77^th minute, and Krioutchenkov took advantage to give Davidson the lead.

Despite a couple of Bears chances in the final seven minutes, the 2-1 Davidson advantage would end up being the final score. For the game, both teams attempted 15 shots, while the Wildcats had a 6-3 edge in shots on goal. Trevor McMullen made four saves for Mercer.

The Bears move to 3-2-3 on the season with the loss.

SCORING SUMMARY

18' DAVIDSON GOAL: Nico Quanbeck; ASSIST: Piers Ringdahl, Lucas Beltran
59' MERCER GOAL: Carlos Santamaria; ASSIST: None
77' DAVIDSON GOAL: Denis Krioutchenkov; ASSIST: None

TOP BEARS

+ Carlos Santamaria scored the lone goal of the game for the Bears. He now has seven points this season, good for second on the team
+ Tommy Redd played all 90 minutes for the second game in a row and fourth time this year. The junior is now sixth on the team in minutes played
+ Fernando Arteaga made his second start in a row, tallying three shots and putting one on goal

UP NEXT
Mercer travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. next Tuesday for their first ever meeting with the sixth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.