November 12, 2010

Mercer Falls to Florida in NCAA Women's College Cup

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Despite the outcome, the Mercer University women's soccer team looked poised and experienced in a 3-0 loss to the No. 2 seed Florida Gators in the program's first-ever NCAA Women's College Cup match on Friday night.

 

The Bears (10-9-1, 7-3 A-Sun) came in as the champions of the Atlantic Sun and were facing a highly touted and No. 5 ranked Gator (19-2-2, 9-1-1 SEC) team. Mercer kept it competitive throughout the match, thanks in large part to the play of seven seniors, but was eventually overpowered by the Gators speed and athleticism.

 

"I give Florida a lot of credit," head coach Grant Serafy said. "They have a very good team and they really deserved the game tonight."

 

The first half featured a gritty and determined defensive effort by the Bears and in particular junior goalkeeper Cagney Valloch. Florida came into the match with the ninth ranked scoring offense in the country and certainly showed it; earning a number of scoring chances in the half.

 

Valloch and the Bears back line were able to diffuse a better number of those chances, but Florida would capitalize on an opportunistic play in the 15^th minute. 

 

Gator junior defender Kathryn Williamson launched a high lob from midfield that carried long over a pressing Bears defense and found the foot of the streaking McKenzie Barney. Barney was able to corral the ball and put an easy one-touch over a charging Valloch. It was Barney's 13^th goal of the season.

 

Valloch did record two saves in the first half and was highly active throughout the night in the penalty box.

 

"I was just doing my job," Valloch said. "I was just trying to keep a level head throughout the whole thing and not let up despite the shots."

 

The Bears responded well after the first goal and were able to propel a late offensive attack of their own. Mercer walked into the locker room at the half trailing, 1-0 and behind just two in total shots, 6-4.

 

The second half Florida came out and was able to dictate play a little more, earning 10 of their 16 shots in the final 45 minutes. The Gators scored their second of the game in the 48^th minute on a well placed shot from Thanai Annis. Annis took a long look from outside the Bears box and looped a ball over the outstretched arms of Valloch.

 

Mercer had just three shots in the second period with junior midfielder Olivia Tucker recording a team-high two on the night.

 

"I am proud of my players. I think we had a tremendous season," Serafy said. "I think we certainly battled and it didn't go exactly the way we wanted it to go, but I give them a lot of credit for this season."

 

Florida would add a late goal to decide the match in the 73^rd minute on Barney's second of the night. She took a service from the far side of the pitch and careened a ball off the near post ensure a spot in the second round for the Gators.

 

Mercer finishes the highly decorated 2010 season with a number of program firsts. This is the first time the program has played in a NCAA tournament, strung together four consecutive winning seasons and the first-ever A-Sun tournament championship. The seven seniors have witnessed and been an integral part of the development in the past four seasons and will go down as the most highly decorated class in Mercer history.

 

"We're definitely honored to be the first team to do it," senior defender Kacie Hudson said. "We've been working for four years to get it here. it's always been our goal to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament.

 

"We're pretty disappointed with our outcome but we're happy to be here. Happy to fight hard and hopefully it'll be something that Mercer will be able to continue to do in years to come."

Mercer Postgame Press Conference