Bears Drop Game At Chattanooga, 4-2

Thursday, October 2

Chattanooga, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

5-5-2, 0-2-2

Chattanooga

8-3-2, 2-1-1

Mercer

Chattanooga

10/2/2025 9:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

All six goals were scored in the second half

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After a scoreless first half, six goals were scored in the second half with Mercer scoring the last two as the Bears dropped a 4-2 decision at Chattanooga Thursday night from Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The loss drops the Bears to 5-5-2 overall and 0-2-2 in the conference. Chattanooga improves to 2-1-1 in the conference and remains undefeated at home with a 7-0-0 record.

The game featured the first and third highest scoring teams in the SoCon. After a scoreless first half, Chattanooga scored four unanwered goals in a span of 13 minutes to take a 4-0 lead. Mercer's goals came from Maria Karipidis and Morganne Eikelbarner in the 81st and 82nd minutes of the game.

Avery Parker made her second career start in goal for the Bears. Shots on goal in the game were 10-4, Chattanooga. The Mocs also had a slight edge in corner kicks, 6-5.

The first half saw a few decent scoring chances from both teams, but neither team could break the deadlock as the teams went into halftime tied at two.

Chattanooga's leading goal scorer, Caroline Richvalsky scored the first two goals of the game in the 55th and 60th minutes of the game to give the Mocs a 2-0 lead. Quinn Johnson scored her first goal of the season for the Mocs in the 62nd minute to make it 3-0 Chattanooga. The Mocs added a fourth goal in the 68th minute when Paige Thomas score dher seventh goal of the season.

Mercer however fought back, beginning with an outstanding goal from Karipidis who received a throw in from Maddie Hill, took a few dribble to the middle of the field and unleashed a right-footed shot from about 35 yards out that made its way over the outstretched hands of the Chattanooga goalie and under the crossbar to make it a 4-1 game.

Just 80 seconds later, Morganne Eikelbarner ran onto a flicked on header from Payton Nutzman and took her defender on 1v1 and slid her shot under past the Mocs' goalie who came out of her crease to make it 4-2. It was Eikelbarner's seventh goal of the season, tying her for the team lead with Nutzman.

SCORING SUMMARY
55'	CHATTANOOGA GOAL: Caroline Richvalsky (7) ASSIST: Brenna Swiger
60'	CHATTANOOGA GOAL: Caroline Richvalsky (8) ASSIST: Quinn Johnson
62'	CHATTANOOGA GOAL: Quinn Johnson (1) ASSIST: Zoey Mize
68'	CHATTANOOGA GOAL: Paige Thomas (7) ASSIST: Emma Reeves
81'	MERCER GOAL: Maria Karipidis (3) ASSIST: Maddie Hill
82'	MERCER GOAL: Morganne Eikelbarner (7) ASSISTS: None

NOTABLES

+ Morganne Eikelbarner scored her seventh goal of the season on her birthday, tying her for the team lead.
+ All six goals were scored in the second half.
+ Maria Karipidis scored her third goal of the season, setting a new season high in goals for the junior midfielder.
+ Avery Parker made her second career start in goal for the Bears. She made six saves.

UP NEXT

Mercer will travel to Lexington, Virginia to play the VMI Keydets on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Patchin Field.

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