Mercer Men’s Soccer Travels to Northern Kentucky on Saturday

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer men’s soccer team returns to Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend when it takes on Northern Kentucky on November 2 at 7 p.m. at the NKU Soccer Stadium.

Mercer (3-13-1, 1-4-1 A-Sun) currently sits in a three-way tie for the sixth and final spot in the A-Sun Championship with only two games remaining in the 2013 regular season.

Scouting the Opposition

Northern Kentucky (8-3-6, 4-1-1 A-Sun) currently sits in in a tie for second-place in the A-Sun Conference standings. In just their second season in Division I, the Norse are having a fine season and are currently on a six-match unbeaten streak (4-0-2) dating back to a 1-1 tie against North Florida on October 11. Offense has been the key to NKU’s success this season as it already has 21 goals in 2013 after scoring just 16 times all of last season. Senior Brendan Murphy and junior Caleb Eastham pace the Norse attack with eight points apiece.

Last Time Out

MACON, Ga. – Despite tallying more shots on goal than its opponent for the fifth-straight game, the Mercer men’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision at Georgia State on Tuesday evening at the GSU Soccer Complex.

Even with tonight’s loss, Mercer is still 6-2-1 against Georgia State and Georgia Southern dating back to the start of the 2009 season.

The Bears registered eight shots on goal, compared to just three by Georgia State, but Panthers goalkeeper CJ Cochran made seven saves in the game to record the win.

Sophomore Juan Jose Morales scored the lone goal for Mercer, his fourth of the season, and was assisted by sophomore David Murtaugh and freshman Ian Antley.

Game Notes

– Senior defender Joey Heavner started the 76th game of his career against Georgia State and is now just two games away from setting the all-time A-Sun Conference record for the most games started in a career. The Landisville, Pa. native also has 21 career assists which is one shy of tying Maxwell Rooke for the most assists in a career in Mercer program history.