Mercer Suffers First Loss Of Season At Maine, 3-1

Thursday, August 20

Orono, Maine

7 p.m.

Mercer University

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Maine

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Mercer	1	0	1
Maine	2	1	3

Mercer Suffers First Loss Of Season At Maine, 3-1

8/20/2026 10:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Thursday night was the first ever meeting between Mercer and Maine

ORONO, Maine – The Mercer women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday night as Maine came out on top with a 3-1 win over the Bears from New Balance Soccer Complex in Orono, Maine.

In the first ever meeting between the two teams, Maine the defending America East Tournament champions of the past three years was able to protect its home field.

Maine outshot Mercer 16-11, but each team had six shots on goal. Both sides also had four corner kicks in the game with the Black Bears scoring one of their three goals off of a corner.

After Maine scored just over one minute into the game, Mercer showed resilience by responding with a goal fo their own to tie the game just five minutes later. Marianna Rapani took a long throw in that bounced over Olivia Bori and a Maine defender's head. Bori quickly turned and run under the ball and headed it past the Maine goalie for her second goal of the game to make it 1-1 just over six minutes into the game.

In the 25th minute, Maine scored a header off a corner kick to retake the lead. In the 44th minute, Maine was awarded a penalty kick after a Black Bear was tripped in the box. Maine's Atherley Teagan took the penalty kick but her shot was saved by Ariel Bernard, giving the Bears some momentum as it remained a one-goal game at halftime.

Mercer came out of halftime controlling play and spending much of the first 15 minutes in the offensive half. The Bears had three good looks at goal within the first six minutes, but all three shots were saved by Maine's goalie. The Black Bears were able to add a third goal in the 68th minute on a shot from outside the box.

Ariel Bernard finished with three saves in goal for the Bears. Offensively, Bori led Mercer with one goal and a team high three shots.

SCORING SUMMARY
2'	MAINE GOAL: Isabella Meadows (1) ASSISTS: Sandrine Brault
7'	MERCER GOAL: Olivia Bori (2) ASSISTS: Marianna Rapani
25'	MAINE GOAL: Luise Reinwald (1) ASSISTS: Britta Denny
68'	MAINE GOAL: Luise Reinwald (2) ASSISTS: Abbey Thornton, Victoria Dungey

NOTABLES

+ The game was the first all-time meeting between Mercer and Maine.
+ Each team had six shots on goal.
+ Olivia Bori scored for the second straight game.
+ Maggie Rollins and Hayden Lepley played the full 90 minutes for the Bears.
+ Marianna Rapani's assist on Bori's goal was her first assist of the season.

UP NEXT

Mercer's next game is its home opener on Sunday, Aug. 23 against South Carolina State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET from Betts Stadium.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow Mercer Soccer on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" Mercer Soccer on Facebook.

SUPPORT THE BEARS

Fans can help support the Mercer athletics department by making a gift to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. To find out more information about the Mercer Athletic Foundation, visit S upportMAF.com or email maf@mercer.edu.