Mercer Men’s Soccer Opens Home Schedule with Mercer Tournament

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – After opening the season with three-straight games away from Bear Field, the Mercer men’s soccer team will kick-off its 2013 home schedule this weekend when it hosts three teams as part of the Mercer Tournament.

Mercer (0-3) will take on Winthrop on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. before closing the event against Georgia Southern on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.

Scouting the Opposition

Winthrop is off to a solid start to begin its 2013 season and it enters play on Friday with a 2-0-1 record. The Eagles most recently played to a 0-0 tie against Atlantic Sun Conference member East Tennessee State on Sept. 9. Defense has been the main sticking point for the Eagles this season, as they have only allowed two goals in their three games thus far in 2013. Winthrop and Mercer are tied at 2-2 in the all-time series history, with the Bears notching a 3-0 win in the last meeting between the schools in 2011.

Georgia Southern comes into play this weekend with a 1-2 overall record after falling at Duke 1-0 last time out on Sept. 10. Mercer has won five-straight contests against the Eagles, most recently capturing a 1-0 road win at Georgia Southern last season. The Eagles were picked to finish third in the 2013 Southern Conference Preseason Coaches’ poll and had two players, Hunter Norton and Reed Norton, selected to the All-SoCon Preseason Team.

Last Time Out

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Mercer men’s soccer team wrapped up play in the Hilton Garden Inn Classic with a 3-1 loss to host school UNC Wilmington on Sept 8.

Mercer went 0-2 in the Hilton Garden Inn Classic that was won by SoCon member Elon. Seniors Brady O’Brien and Ehjayson Henry were both named to the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore James Walters scored Mercer’s lone goal in the contest while goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh made three saves in a losing effort.

Game Notes

– Since the start of the 2010 season, Mercer has compiled an impressive 16-6-1 record at Bear Field which includes a 6-1 mark in front of the home faithful last season.