Mercer Defeats ETSU 2-1 To Advance To SoCon Tournament Semifinals

Friday, October 31

Cullowhee, NC

4 p.m.

Mercer University

9-6-3, 3-3-3

East Tennessee State

9-4-6, 4-1-4

Mercer

ETSU

Mercer Defeats ETSU 2-1 To Advance To SoCon Tournament Semifinals

10/31/2025 9:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Maria Karipidis scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Maria Karipidis headed in the game-winning goal off a corner kick in the 83rd minute to lift the No. 6 seed Mercer Bears to a 2-1 win over No. 3 seed ETSU in the SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals Friday evening from the campus of Western Carolina in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

With the win, the Bears advance to play the No. 2 seed Western Carolina Catamounts in the SoCon Tournament Semfinals Sunday at 2 p.m. in Cullowhee.

Mercer outshot ETSU, 14-9, including a 4-3 shots on goal advantage. Lindsay Bell played the first half in goal for the Bears, before Avery Parker came in to play the second half.

The Bears played well for the majority of the game, especially in the first half in which coach Economopoulos said following the game was "probably some of the best soccer we've played all season."

Mercer outshot ETSU 9-2 in the first half. The Bears took a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a superb free kick in the 23rd minute from sophomore defender Maggie Rollins who curled her shot into the top left corner of the goal for her first goal of the season.

In the second half, ETSU scored the game-tying goal in the 65th minute on a shot from the top of the box.

With the game in the balance, in the 83rd minute Mercer earned a corner kick. Morganne Eikelbarner sent the ball in the middle of the box where Karipidis rose above the Buccaneer defenders and headed the ball in the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season. The Bears did well to see the game out to earn the win and advance to the semifinals.

SCORING SUMMARY
23'	MERCER GOAL: Maggie Rollins (1) ASSIST: None
65'	ETSU GOAL: Grace Eatz (3) ASSIST: Alex Beck
83'	MERCER GOAL: Maria Karipidis (4) ASSIST: Morganne Eikelbarner

NOTABLES

+ Mercer is now 3-1-1 in its last five meetings against ETSU.
+ Mercer advances to play in the SoCon Tournament Semifinals for the first time since 2022.
+ Maria Karipidis' goal was her career high fourth goal of the year.
+ Morganne Eikelbarner's assist on Karipidis' goal was her 20th point of the season.
+ Maggie Rollins' free kick goal was her first goal of the season.
+ Mercer outshot ETSU 9-2 in a dominant first half.

UP NEXT

Mercer will take on No. 2 seed Western Carolina in the semifinals on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Cullowhee.

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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.