Bears Blanked In First Loss Of The Season

Thursday, August 28

Memphis, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Memphis

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Mercer

Memphis

8/28/2025 9:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

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

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Mercer (1-1-1) men's soccer team fell 2-0 in its first match on the road to Memphis (1-1-1) on Thursday night.

Both teams battled for possession for the first 30 minutes, with neither offense having any real scoring chance. That all changed in the 33rd minute when Eben McIntyre bagged his first goal in a Tiger uniform.
Denis O'John earned a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box. The Bears delayed the damage as long as possible before McIntyre found the back of the net.

Aaron Pondeca came into the match for Mercer shortly after the Bears' conceded. The sophomore's fresh legs allowed the orange and black to control the remainder of the opening half.

Early out of the break, the Tigers had a barrage of shots. Henry Hampshaw had three huge saves between the 55th and the 63rd minute to hold the deficit at one.

Mercer had its best scoring opportunity of the game when Will Taylor smashed the ball of the crossbar, coming just inches away from his first collegiate goal in the 68th minute.

Saad Chaouki doubled the Memphis lead in the 74th minute. The junior midfielder tapped in his fourth collegiate goal after McIntyre and Lucho Galizzi dissected the Bears' backline..

The Bears continue their road trip on Sunday against Lipscomb.

Notables

For the second straight season, the contest between Memphis and Mercer finished with a 2-0 scoreline. In 2024, the Bears defeated the Tigers at Betts Stadium 2-0.
The Bears were out-shot 12-9. The Tigers had six shots on goal while Mercer only had one.
Hampshaw tied his career high of five saves in Thursday night's loss. Last Sunday, Hampshaw had four saves in Mercer's 1-1 draw against Evansville. The sophomore has 10 saves through three matches this season.