Mercer Falls 2-1 To Air Force

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After a back-and-forth battle, the Mercer men's soccer team dropped its road tilt with the Air Force Falcons 2-1 at Cadet Soccer Stadium on Thursday night.

Mercer (2-3-2) got off to an early lead when Eli Bannister found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career. Junior Casillas began the attack with a perfectly placed pass to Liam Corr. The junior midfielder then hit Bannister in stride, and the freshman introduced the ball to nylon in the 3rd minute of the match.

Oliver Becker found the equalizer in the 16th minute for Air Force. Sean Odle gave the Falcons the lead in the 77th minute and Air Force would hold on to win, 2-1.

The Bears were inches away from equalizing just seconds after the Falcons' second goal. Bryce Griffith took a free kick from just outside the box that became loose in the six-yard box. However, Brody Smith was able to get a hand on it as Mercer crashed the net to save Air Force's lead.

Before returning to Macon, Mercer ends its second road trip of the 2025 campaign with Denver (3-3-0) on Sunday evening.

Notables

Henry Hampshaw saved five shots in Thursday night's loss. The sophomore transfer's five saves is the most he has had in a single game at the Division I level. Hampshaw reached this mark twice in his redshirt freshman season at William Carey. The Holmfirth, England, native has 24 saves through his first seven matches of the season.

Players Mentioned

Eli Bannister

Junior Casillas

Liam Corr

Bryce Griffith

Henry Hampshaw

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