Mercer Men’s Soccer Releases 2013 Spring Schedule

MACON, Georgia (MERCER ATHLETICS) – The Mercer men’s soccer team will get a chance to break up its offseason workouts this spring with five exhibition matches, head coach Brad Ruzzo announced Monday afternoon.

The spring season begins on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. with a road match at in-state rival Georgia Southern. Mercer used a goal by senior Richie Edmondson in the 78th minute to take a 1-0 road win over the Eagles last season on September 10.

The team will then travel to Columbia to face Conference USA member South Carolina on March 2 at 1 p.m. The Gamecocks finished 2012 with an overall record of 5-11-2, the program’s first season with double-digit losses since 1983.

After almost an entire month off, Mercer resumes play with the first of three-straight home matches at Bear Field against Peach Belt Conference member Clayton State on March 27 at 7 p.m.

The Bears conclude their spring slate with a pair of home games against Division II members Anderson on March 31 at 1 p.m. and Young Harris on April 6 at 3:30 p.m.

2012 A-Sun Conference Coach of the Year Brad Ruzzo welcomes back seven starters from last year’s squad that went 11-7-2 overall and lost in the A-Sun Championship title game for the second time in the last four seasons.

The complete 2013 Mercer men’s soccer schedule follows:

Date                         Opponent                     Location                      Time
Sunday, Feb. 24          Georgia Southern          Statesboro, Ga.               1 p.m.
Saturday, March 2       South Carolina              Columbia, S.C                 1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27  Clayton State                Macon, Ga.                     7 p.m.
Saturday, March 31     Anderson                      Macon, Ga.                      1 p.m.
Saturday, April 6         Young Harris                 Macon, Ga.                      3:30 p.m.