Sunday, August 23
Jacksonville, Fla.
7 p.m.
Mercer University
0-1-1, 0-0-0
1
at
1
%20(1).png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
North Florida
0-1-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| North Florida | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Bears Draw With Ospreys In Sunday Night Slugfest
8/23/2026 10:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Mercer Bears (0-1-1) earned their first result of the season after a grueling war with North Florida (0-1-1) at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday night.
Christopher Nezianya scored his first goal at the collegiate level, and Mercer's first of the season, on a penalty in the ninth minute that provided the Bears with a lead that lasted until the Ospreys converted a penalty of their own in the 62nd minute to split the result.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Ehi Aimiuwu delivered a cross into the box that found its way off the post and onto Anthony Herrera's head, who stood alone in front of the Osprey's net. Herrera directed a shot on goal and caused Tyler Prebenda to receive a straight red card when he denied the goal with a deliberate handball. Junior forward Christopher Nezianya stood over the penalty spot and sent Luciano Natoli the opposite way to give the Bears the lead at the 8:01 mark.
North Florida recorded its first shot on goal at 23:44 in the match, which earned Henry Hampshaw his first save of the night. The Ospreys continued to attack and forced two more saves out of Hampshaw in the 35th minute. Hampshaw picked up his fourth save of the night in the 44th minute to send Mercer to the break with a 1-0 lead.
Both teams continued to battle, with neither squad finding a scoring opportunity until the 61:29 mark when the referee awarded a penalty kick to North Florida. Geraldo Neto converted from the spot and tied the match. In the final 20 minutes, Mercer fired three more shots on goal, but the Ospreys withstood the offensive onslaught, and the two teams left Hodges Stadium with a draw.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Betts Stadium for a two-match homestand. Mercer welcomes UNC Wilmington (1-0) to Macon, Georgia, on Thursday, August 27 at 5:00 p.m. The Bears will conclude their homestand with UAB (0-0-1) on Monday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m. All regular season home matches are free of admission.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
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Christopher Nezianya scored his first goal at the collegiate level, and Mercer's first of the season, on a penalty in the ninth minute that provided the Bears with a lead that lasted until the Ospreys converted a penalty of their own in the 62nd minute to split the result.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Ehi Aimiuwu delivered a cross into the box that found its way off the post and onto Anthony Herrera's head, who stood alone in front of the Osprey's net. Herrera directed a shot on goal and caused Tyler Prebenda to receive a straight red card when he denied the goal with a deliberate handball. Junior forward Christopher Nezianya stood over the penalty spot and sent Luciano Natoli the opposite way to give the Bears the lead at the 8:01 mark.
North Florida recorded its first shot on goal at 23:44 in the match, which earned Henry Hampshaw his first save of the night. The Ospreys continued to attack and forced two more saves out of Hampshaw in the 35th minute. Hampshaw picked up his fourth save of the night in the 44th minute to send Mercer to the break with a 1-0 lead.
Both teams continued to battle, with neither squad finding a scoring opportunity until the 61:29 mark when the referee awarded a penalty kick to North Florida. Geraldo Neto converted from the spot and tied the match. In the final 20 minutes, Mercer fired three more shots on goal, but the Ospreys withstood the offensive onslaught, and the two teams left Hodges Stadium with a draw.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Betts Stadium for a two-match homestand. Mercer welcomes UNC Wilmington (1-0) to Macon, Georgia, on Thursday, August 27 at 5:00 p.m. The Bears will conclude their homestand with UAB (0-0-1) on Monday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m. All regular season home matches are free of admission.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
MER
UNF
Goals
1
1
Shots
12
10
Shots on Goal
5
5
Saves
4
3
Corners
4
4
Fouls
14
9
Scoring Plays
Chris Nezianya
MER Chris Nezianya PENALTY KICK GOAL.
08:01
%20(1).png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Geraldo Neto
UNF Geraldo Neto PENALTY KICK GOAL.
61:29
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
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