Saturday, October 24
Lexington, Va.
12:30 p.m.
Mercer University
0-12-4, 0-4-2
2
at
4
VMI
5-11-1, 1-4-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| VMI | 3 | 1 | 4 |
10/24/2026 6:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEXINGTON, Va. – Despite Bryce Griffith's historic goal, the Mercer men's soccer team dropped its Southern Conference finale, 4-2, to VMI in Lexington, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon.
Griffith, a fifth-year senior from Charleston, South Carolina, scored the fastest goal in Mercer men's soccer history, finding the back of the net just 10 seconds into the match. Griffith surpassed Will Bagrou, who previously set the record at the 26-second mark in 2016 against Wofford. Griffith's goal, the first of his Mercer career, tied a SoCon record that has not been touched since Davidson's John Sampers on September 8, 1994.
After Mercer jumped to a historic lead, VMI scored two straight goals to gain a lead of its own. Andrew Seward bagged the first goal of his early collegiate career to level the scoring in the 24th minute. Sam Dowdy scored in the closing seconds of the first half off a free kick to provide the Keydets with a 3-2 lead heading into the break. Dowdy converted from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half and delivered VMI its first win over Mercer in 21 meetings.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Betts Stadium for their regular season finale this Friday, October 30 against College of Charleston (7-3-4, 2-2-3 CAA). Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., with Senior Day activities beginning a few minutes prior.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
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Griffith, a fifth-year senior from Charleston, South Carolina, scored the fastest goal in Mercer men's soccer history, finding the back of the net just 10 seconds into the match. Griffith surpassed Will Bagrou, who previously set the record at the 26-second mark in 2016 against Wofford. Griffith's goal, the first of his Mercer career, tied a SoCon record that has not been touched since Davidson's John Sampers on September 8, 1994.
After Mercer jumped to a historic lead, VMI scored two straight goals to gain a lead of its own. Andrew Seward bagged the first goal of his early collegiate career to level the scoring in the 24th minute. Sam Dowdy scored in the closing seconds of the first half off a free kick to provide the Keydets with a 3-2 lead heading into the break. Dowdy converted from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half and delivered VMI its first win over Mercer in 21 meetings.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Betts Stadium for their regular season finale this Friday, October 30 against College of Charleston (7-3-4, 2-2-3 CAA). Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., with Senior Day activities beginning a few minutes prior.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
MERCER
VMI
Goals
2
4
Shots
7
13
Shots on Goal
5
8
Saves
4
3
Corners
6
5
Fouls
12
9
Scoring Plays
Bryce Griffith (1)
GOAL by MERCER Griffith, Bryce.
00:10
Yeirin Mejia (7)
GOAL by VMI Mejia, Yeirin.
11:12
Jesse Lee (4)
GOAL by VMI Lee, Jesse.
23:09
Andrew Seward (1)
GOAL by MERCER Seward, Andrew.
23:10
Sam Dowdy (1)
GOAL by VMI Dowdy, Sam.
45:00
Sam Dowdy (1)
VMI Sam Dowdy PENALTY KICK GOAL.
49:28
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
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