Bears Battle At Betts In 1-1 Draw

Sunday, August 24

Macon, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Evansville

0-0-2, 0-0-0

Evansville

Mercer

8/24/2025 6:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

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

MACON – After a grueling, back-and-forth battle, the Mercer men's soccer team drew with Evansville 1-1 to remain unbeaten at Betts Stadium in 2025.

The Mercer Bears (1-0-1) now have an 0-3-2 all-time record against Evansville (0-0-2).

The Bears dominated the first 10 minutes of the match. Junior Casillas picked up right where he left off from Friday's match, dancing around multiple Purple Aces before finding Liam Corr in front of the net.
Casillas roped a pass that hit Corr in stride and the midfielder redirected the ball off an Evansville defender and into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Bears an early 1-0 lead.

The pace of play did not slow down after the opening goal, and Evansville capitalized on Mercer's backline falling out of position. Devin Shepherd stood alone with the Bears' keeper and found nylon with the equalizer in the 23rd minute.

Both teams fought for possession throughout the second half, and Henry Hampshaw's three saves kept the match square.

The Purple Aces had their best scoring chance since the first half in the 77th minute when Tancredi Fadda found himself alone at the top of the box with Hampshaw. Hampshaw reacted quickly, meeting the forward as he took his touch and robbing Evansville of the go-ahead goal.

Mercer hits the road for the first time in 2025 for a mid-week match against Memphis on Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m. The Bears remain in The Volunteer State and take on Lipscomb on Sunday, August 31 at 7 p.m.

Both matches will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Notables

Casillas has now recorded at least one assist in back-to-back matches for the Bears. The senior transfer now has four goal contributions in his first two appearances with Mercer (leads the team with three assists).
Hampshaw recorded four saves in today's draw. The Holmfirth, England, native finished one save of his career high. A mark he set on October 24, 2024, when he saved five shots against Mobile during his tenure at William Carey.