Mercer Unable To Complete Comeback In 3-2 Defeat To Illinois

Sunday, September 8

Macon, Ga.

2:15 p.m.

Mercer University

4-2-1, 0-0-0

Illinois

4-2-1, 0-0-0

Illinois

Mercer

Mercer Unable To Complete Comeback In 3-2 Defeat To Illinois

9/8/2024 5:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Thomason and Moorman each scored penalty kick goals for the Bears

MACON, Ga. – Trailing 3-1 with 12 minutes to play, Mercer got one goal back but was unable to find a game-tying goal as the Bears dropped a 3-2 contest to Illinois Sunday afternoon from Betts Stadium.

In a highly competitive game which saw plenty of shots from both sides, Illinois was able to hold off the Bears to earn its fourth win of the season in what was the first all-time meeting between the two sides and first Big Ten opponent for Mercer since playing Indiana in 2009.

Shots were 19-17 in favor of the Illini, but the Bears had 11 shots on goal to Illinois' 10. Illinois got on the board first, 42 seconds into the game to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Then, in the 31st minute a handball on the Illini gave Mercer a penalty kick which Larkin Thomason took and slotted into the bottom left corner for her seventh goal of the season to tie the game at one.

In the 59th minute a Illinois' Claire Murray sent a through ball in which the leading goal scorer for the Illini in Sarah Foley was able to get to before Mercer goalie Lindsay Bell and Foley touched it past Bell and scored into the open net to give Illinois a 2-1 lead.

In the 78th minute, a cross from Illinois found Foley in the box who turned and scored her second of the game to put Illinois up, 3-1.

The Bears fought back and kept the pressure on Illinois over the final 12 minutes. Less than one minute after Illinois' third goal, Anna Bachman got tripped in the box and earned Mercer's second penalty kick of the game. This time Jada Moorman stepped up and scored her fourth goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game.

In the 84th minute, Thomason had perhaps Mercer's best chance in the run of play when a cross from Bachman was beautifully touched across the 6-yard box to Thomason who's shot was saved by a sprawling Illinois goalie. Thomason's shot off the rebound rolled past the post as Illinois escaped with its lead still intact.

SCORING SUMMARY
1'	ILLINOIS GOAL: Claire Murray ASSIST: Angie Gallo
31'	MERCER GOAL: Larkin Thomason (7) ASSIST: None
59'	ILLINOIS GOAL: Sarah Foley ASSIST: Claire Murray
78'	ILLINOIS GOAL: Sarah Foley ASSIST: Lauren Seppi, Lia Howard
79'	MERCER GOAL: Jada Moorman (4) ASSIST: None

TOP BEARS

+ Kendall Cook earned the GRIT chain as she had a strong game at outside midfield for the Bears and was great on set pieces as well.
+ Larkin Thomason continues to find the back of the net and had another good game at forward for Mercer.

NOTABLES

+ Thomason is on a current 5-game goal scoring streak - the longest of her career.
+ Mercer's 11 shots on goal were its third most in seven games this season.
+ Bell made a season high seven saves in goal for Mercer.
+ Mercer's 11 shots on goal were the most shots on goal by any Illinois opponent this season.

UP NEXT

Mercer welcomes in-state rival Georgia State to Betts Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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SUPPORT THE BEARS

Fans can help support the Mercer athletics department by making a gift to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. To find out more information about the Mercer Athletic Foundation, visit S upportMAF.com or email maf@mercer.edu.