Thomason's Brace Lifts Mercer Past ETSU, 2-0

Sunday, September 29

Johnson City, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

7-3-2, 1-1-1

East Tennessee State

2-5-2, 1-1-1

Mercer

ETSU

9/29/2024 3:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Lindsay Bell earned her fifth shutout of the season in goal

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Behind two goals from Larkin Thomason and a couple of great saves from Lindsay Bell, Mercer picked up an important 2-0 win over ETSU Sunday afternoon from Summers-Taylor Stadium in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The win improves Mercer's conference record to 1-1-1 and is the Bears' second road win of the season. Shots were 16-15 in favor of Mercer, but the Bears had the decisive advantage in shots on goal at 9-3.

Thomason's first goal came in the eighth minute of play, after a misplay in the back by ETSU. Thomason took advantage and raced past the Bucs defenders and calmly put her shot past the ETSU goalie to put the Bears up 1-0.

Jada Moorman nearly doubled Mercer's lead in the 36th minute after a great through ball from Thomason found Moorman behind the Bucs' defense. Moorman slipped a shot past the ETSU goalie, but a Bucs defender cleared the ball just before the ball rolled over the line.

In the 57th minute, a great ball over the top from Sara Engels found Thomason 1v1 with her defender and Thomason dribbled into the box, cut inside, and curled a right-footed shot into the top right corner for her second goal of the game. It was Thomason's 11th goal of the season through 12 games, already tying her 11 goals scored as a freshman last year.

Bell came up with key saves late, including an excellent save on an ETSU header in the 71st minute to pick up her fifth shutout of the season.

SCORING SUMMARY
8'	MERCER GOAL: Larkin Thomason (10) ASSIST: None
57'	MERCER GOAL: Larkin Thomason (11) ASSIST: Sara Engels

TOP BEARS

+ Lindsay Bell had three saves and picked up her fifth shutout of the season.
+ After two games without a goal, Larkin Thomason found the back of the net twice to put her at 11 goals on the season.
+ Playing on her birthday, Sara Engels played well for the Bears in the midfield and assisted on Thomason's second goal of the game.

NOTABLES

+ The win was Mercer's first road win since its season opening win at Kennesaw State.
+ Mercer became just the second team (Tennessee) to shutout ETSU on their home field this season.
+ The win was Mercer's first at Johnson City, since defeating the Bucs, 2-1 in double overtime in 2019.
+ Thomason now has four game-winning goals on the season.

UP NEXT

Mercer returns home to Macon to play Chattanooga on Thursday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

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