Bears Earn 1-1 Draw To Begin Conference Play

Saturday, October 4

Macon, Ga.

7:30 p.m.

Mercer University

2-6-3, 0-0-1

#7 Furman

6-1-4, 0-0-1

Furman

Mercer

10/4/2025 11:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Rylee Bamberger, rylee.m.bamberger@live.mercer.edu

MACON – Due to a dominant first half and an overwhelming defensive effort, the Mercer men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against No. 7 Furman in its Southern Conference Opener on Saturday night at Betts Stadium.

The Bears began SoCon play with high intensity, pressing the Paladins into their own box and forcing countless turnovers.

Gavin Morgan's first goal in a Mercer uniform sent the home fans into a frenzy. Fernando Arteaga took a corner quickly, catching Furman's defense sleeping and allowing Will Taylor to rifle a pass across the 18-yard box and onto Morgan's foot when the graduate senior slotted it past Ivan Horvat in the 15th minute.

Mercer did not take the foot off the gas, continuing to press the Paladins and limiting them to just six shots in the first half. It was not until late in the second half when Furman found the equalizer off a set piece in the 77th minute.

Henry Hampshaw continued his dominant campaign with yet another five-save performance. The sophomore goalkeeper has 45 saves across his 11 starts, maintaining a 1.18 goals against average.

The Bears continue conference play next Saturday, October 11 on the road against Wofford at Snyder Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Spartanburg, North Carolina.

Noteworthy

Saturday night's 1-1 draw snaps a four-game skid for the Bears. Before tonight's result, Mercer had dropped four straight one-goal contests.
The Bears are now 0-1-2 against ranked opponents in 2025. Mercer has a pair of 1-1 ties with then No. 22 USF and No. 7 Furman.
Each contributor to Mercer's goal earned their first goal contribution of the 2025 campaign. Arteaga earned his first assist of the season (fourth of his career), Taylor notched his first assist at the collegiate level under his belt and Morgan netted his first goal as a Bear (sixth of his six-year career).