Mercer Men’s Soccer Hosts Gardner-Webb in Mid-Week Tilt

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – After a thrilling 1-0 home win over in-state rival Georgia Southern last time out, the Mercer soccer team looks to keeps things rolling when it hosts Gardner-Webb on September 18 at Bear Field.

Mercer (1-4) will take on the Runnin’ Bulldogs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening to close out its three-game homestand.

Scouting the Opposition

Gardner-Webb enters play on Wednesday evening with a 3-2-0 record after most recently downing Liberty 1-0 in its Big South conference opener on Sept. 14. Mercer and Gardner Webb share two common opponents this season in Clemson and Georgia Southern with the Bears going 1-1 and the Runnin’ Bulldogs posting a 0-2 record. Gardner-Webb was picked to finish seventh in the 2013 Big South Preseason Coaches’ poll after going 4-12-2 last season. Junior Denzel Clarke leads the Runnin’ Bulldogs and is tied for the lead in the Big South Conference with five goals scored this season.

Last Time Out

MACON, Ga. – Needing a result in the worst way, the Mercer men’s soccer team received a goal from senior Ehjayson Henry in the 87th minute to capture a 1-0 win over in-state rival Georgia Southern to close out the Mercer Tournament on Sunday evening at Bear Field.

Mercer (1-4) has now beaten Georgia Southern (2-3) six-straight times dating back to 2007 and ends a four-match losing streak with the win.

The Bears out-shot the Eagles 23-8 and held a commanding 13-2 advantage in corner kicks in the match.

Game Notes

– Junior goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh made four saves in the Bears 1-0 win over Georgia Southern to record his 15th career shutout, passing Ron Keller (1981-84) for the most career shutouts in program history. The Pickering, Ontario product’s 15 career shutouts are also tied for the fifth-most in Atlantic Sun Conference history, just three shy of moving into a tie with Centenary’s Damin Hall for fourth-most all-time.