Mercer Women’s Soccer Travels to Georgia and Alabama this Weekend

MACON, Georgia (MERCER ATHLETICS) – After earning a pair of results in its first two contests of the 2013 season, the Mercer women’s soccer team will be put to the test this weekend with a pair of road matches against Georgia and Alabama.

The Bears go up against Georgia on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. before taking on Alabama to close out the weekend on Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.

Scouting the Opposition

Mercer and Georgia renew its intense in-state rivalry for the first time since 2011 this weekend. The Bulldogs are 1-1 so far in 2013 after dropping its season opener at Texas before coming back with a 2-0 win over Houston. Georgia was picked to finish sixth in the Eastern Division according to the 2013 Southeastern Conference Preseason Coaches’ poll after returning six starters and 15 letterwinners from a team that went 7-11-2 last season.

Alabama is 0-1 on the young 2013 season after dropping its opener at No. 15 Wake Forest 3-0. The Crimson Tide owns a 6-0 lead in the all-time series against Mercer, including a 3-0 win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama was picked to finish fourth in the Western Division according to the 2013 Southeastern Conference Preseason Coaches’ poll after scoring an impressive 37 goals on its way to an 8-9-2 record last season.

Last Time Out

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women’s soccer team received a goal from sophomore Sarah Daane with just four seconds remaining in regulation to tie Georgia State 2-2 in its 2013 home opener on Aug. 25 at Bear Field.

Down 2-1 with just seconds left in the game, Mercer earned a free kick from just outside and to the left of the 18-yard box. With time running out, the head referee stopped the clock to counteract Georgia State players who were holding the ball and trying to delay the action. When play resumed, Daane approached the ball and fired a right-footed shot that bounced right under Georgia State goalkeeper Brie Haynes to tie the game at 2-2 with just two seconds remaining in regulation.

Game Notes

– After leading the Atlantic Sun Conference with 40 goals scored last season, Mercer’s offense is off to a torrid start in 2013. Through two games, the Bears rank second in the country in total shots (64) and goals scored per game (6.00).

– Junior Tess Patton was an Honorable Mention selection on the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week on Aug. 27. The Gainesville, Ga. native had a huge opening weekend, tallying five points on the strength of two goals and one assist.