Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Mercer men’s soccer team took an early lead and never looked back, defeating UNF 3-0 on Saturday evening at Hodges Stadium in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Tournament.
The win improves Mercer’s overall record up to 6-10-2 and more importantly advances the Bears into the A-Sun semifinals for the first time since 2005.
“I am very proud of the way our team played tonight both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball,” head coach
Brad Ruzzo said. “We are now one of the final four teams left in the A-Sun and that was definitely one of our goals heading into this season.”
For the game, UNF out-shot Mercer 11-9 overall, but the Bears held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Bears also held a slight 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
Mercer would dominate the first half of play, keeping the ball on the Ospreys side of the field and generating multiple scoring opportunities.
The Bears would reap the benefits of their steady offensive play, in the 31st minute of play, when sophomore
Ryan Young headed home a corner kick from junior
Ian Cameron to make the score 1-0 Mercer.
The combination of Young and Cameron would strike again and double up Mercer’s lead at the start of the second half. Young would connect on his second goal of the match, in the 56th minute of play, off another corner kick sent in by Cameron to make the score 2-0 Bears.
The Bears would seal the deal in the 59th minute of play when freshman
Will Betts headed home a rebound attempt to give Mercer a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Mercer goalkeeper
Brett Petricek made two saves in the win to earn his fourth shutout victory of the season. UNF goalkeeper Jullian Beau also made two saves in the loss.
With the loss, UNF’s first A-Sun Tournament appearance is over and its overall record wraps up at 4-13-1.
The Bears will now travel to Buies Creek, N.C. on Nov. 12 to take on number one seed Campbell in the semifinal round of the A-Sun Tournament. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Eakes Athletic Complex.
“Campbell has been the premier program in our conference for the past few years,” said Ruzzo. “We are going to have to be ready to go up to their place and beat them at home where they are traditionally very strong.”