Bears Put Forth Strong Performance In Draw With Third-Ranked North Carolina

Tuesday, September 24

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

3-2-4, 0-0-0

North Carolina

5-0-3, 2-0-0

Mercer

North Carolina

Bears Put Forth Strong Performance In Draw With Third-Ranked North Carolina

9/24/2024 10:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

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

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Mercer goalkeeper Trevor McMullen posted his nation-leading sixth clean sheet of the season to lead the Bears to a 0-0 draw against third-ranked North Carolina on Tuesday night.

McMullen made four saves on the night en route to the shutout. The Mercer back line was stout, holding a potent Tar Heels attack scoreless for just the second time this season.

Mercer nearly got on the board in the 10^th minute, taking the first shot of the night. Carlos Santamaria lined up for a free kick and delivered a great ball into the box for Nick Wanzer, but his shot was just high of the goal.

Despite a couple of scoring chances for the Tar Heels before halftime, the match stayed scoreless heading into the break.

Shortly after halftime, Dalton Reyna recorded the first shot of goal of the match in the 51^st minute on a strike from outside the top of the box. The shot was saved on a dive by North Carolina keeper Andrew Cordes.

The Mercer defense continued to stifle the Tar Heels in the second half, with McMullen making three saves before a weather delay put the match on halt in the 76^th minute.

The delay lasted approximately 45 minutes, with play resuming at 9:30 ET. The final 14 minutes of the contest saw scoring chances for both sides, starting with a shot from Carlos Santamaria in the 77^th minute. The Heels attack threatened to break the tie, but the Mercer defense held strong, highlighted by a diving save by McMullen in the 83^rd minute to secure the result.

The Bears move to 3-2-4 on the season with the draw.

SCORING SUMMARY

None

TOP BEARS

+ Trevor McMullen recorded his nation-leading sixth clean sheet of the season, making four saves. His save in the 83^rd minute was the 200^th of his career
+ The Mercer back line was superb to keep North Carolina off of the scoreboard. Natnael McDonald, Sekou Agard and Woodi Pondeca played all 90 minutes for the Bears
+ Dalton Reyna provided some quality minutes off the bench for the Bears, including Mercer's only shot on goal
+ Aaron Pondeca made his first career start, playing a season-high 57 minutes on the night

UP NEXT
Mercer returns home to Betts Stadium on Saturday to take on Air Force. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.