Friday, September 4
Nashville, Tenn.
7:30 p.m.
Mercer University
0-3-2, 0-0-0
1
at
1
Belmont
1-2-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Belmont | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Mercer Splits Result With Belmont
9/4/2026 11:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mercer Bears (0-3-2) earned their second draw of the season against Belmont with a jaw-dropping goal by Eli Bannister and a stellar night by Henry Hampshaw at E.S. Rose Park on Friday night.
Bannister found the back of the net for the first time this season, and the third time of his career, in the 61st minute off a free kick delivered by Will Taylor. Hampshaw saved eight of the Bruins' nine shots on goal to keep Belmont off the board until the final minutes of the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both squads traded attacking opportunities for the first 20 minutes of the match. Belmont earned an indirect free kick after the referee ruled that Mercer committed a back pass at the 18:16 mark. The Bears blocked the rarely seen set piece, and Hampshaw picked up his first save of the night a minute later with a diving effort to his right. The Bruins attempted two more shots on target but could not beat Hampshaw, and the two teams headed into the break all squared up.
Hampshaw handled Belmont's first two shots in the second half with ease before Bryce Griffith won a free kick in Mercer's attacking half in the 60th minute. Taylor took the free kick and curled a pass onto the head of Bannister, who leaped over a herd of players and headed it home to deliver a 1-0 Mercer lead.
In the 80th minute, Mercer defended a Belmont corner and headed the ball away before the referee went to video review and awarded the Bruins a penalty. Hampshaw denied Paul Claes Nielsen's shot and claimed his eighth save of the night five minutes later. With two minutes and 42 seconds remaining in the match, the referee went to video review and gave Belmont its second penalty kick in the final 10 minutes. This time, John McDowell stepped up and converted from the spot to split the result.
UP NEXT
The Bears continue their road trip with in-state rival Georgia State (3-0-1) next Wednesday, September 9, at GSU Soccer Complex in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
Bannister found the back of the net for the first time this season, and the third time of his career, in the 61st minute off a free kick delivered by Will Taylor. Hampshaw saved eight of the Bruins' nine shots on goal to keep Belmont off the board until the final minutes of the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both squads traded attacking opportunities for the first 20 minutes of the match. Belmont earned an indirect free kick after the referee ruled that Mercer committed a back pass at the 18:16 mark. The Bears blocked the rarely seen set piece, and Hampshaw picked up his first save of the night a minute later with a diving effort to his right. The Bruins attempted two more shots on target but could not beat Hampshaw, and the two teams headed into the break all squared up.
Business as usual for @HampshawHenry #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/QVUPEvWiS0
— Mercer Men's Soccer (@Mercer_MSoccer) September 5, 2026
Hampshaw handled Belmont's first two shots in the second half with ease before Bryce Griffith won a free kick in Mercer's attacking half in the 60th minute. Taylor took the free kick and curled a pass onto the head of Bannister, who leaped over a herd of players and headed it home to deliver a 1-0 Mercer lead.
ON HIS HEAD !! 🤯#DefendTheDen https://t.co/SF083xFScY pic.twitter.com/oKju8E8idu
— Mercer Men's Soccer (@Mercer_MSoccer) September 5, 2026
In the 80th minute, Mercer defended a Belmont corner and headed the ball away before the referee went to video review and awarded the Bruins a penalty. Hampshaw denied Paul Claes Nielsen's shot and claimed his eighth save of the night five minutes later. With two minutes and 42 seconds remaining in the match, the referee went to video review and gave Belmont its second penalty kick in the final 10 minutes. This time, John McDowell stepped up and converted from the spot to split the result.
HENRY HAMPSHAW. SEVENTH SAVE OF THE NIGHT ‼️#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/XMtR5ARUDI
— Mercer Men's Soccer (@Mercer_MSoccer) September 5, 2026
UP NEXT
The Bears continue their road trip with in-state rival Georgia State (3-0-1) next Wednesday, September 9, at GSU Soccer Complex in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stay up-to-date with Mercer all season long by following us on X and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
MER
BEL
Goals
1
1
Shots
8
25
Shots on Goal
1
9
Saves
8
0
Corners
2
15
Fouls
10
4
Scoring Plays
Eli Bannister (1)
Assisted By: Will Taylor
GOAL by MER Bannister, Eli Assist by Taylor, Will.
60:38
John McDowell (1)
BEL John McDowell PENALTY KICK GOAL.
87:38
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Tuesday, September 01
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