September 3, 2010

Men’s Soccer Falls Short at Gardner-Webb, 3-0

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Mercer men's soccer team dropped its 2010 season opener 3-0 to Gardner Webb on Friday evening at Greene-Harbison Field.

Gardner-Webb out-shot Mercer 13-10 and held a 10-6 advantage in corner kicks for the match.

GWU lit up the scoreboard first when freshman Nicolas Wrobel converted a penalty kick past Mercer goalkeeper Daniel VanValkinburgh to make the score 1-0 Bulldogs in the 10^th minute of play.

Mercer dominated the field of play for the remainder of the half, but was unable to earn an equalizer. The Orange and Black's best chance of the half came in the 31^st minute when freshman Brady O'Brien put a shot on goal in traffic that was saved by Gardner -Webb goalkeeper Adam Garcia.

The Bulldogs started the second half with another early strike to double up the Bears. Wrobel struck again in the 51^st minute when he collected a deflected free kick and fired in a laser that beat VanValkinburgh to make the score 2-0 in favor of the home team.

Mercer had a quality scoring chance in the 72^nd minute when sophomore Will Grey settled a ball and fired a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

Gardner-Webb put the game out of reach when freshman Marius Hammersmack headed home a cross in the 85th minute to complete the scoring in the match, at 3-0

Junior Adam Garcia made six saves in the contest to earn the win, while VanValkinburgh made two saves in taking the loss.

The Bears return to the pitch on Sunday, September 5 when they stay on the road to take on Winthrop. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Eagle Field.