SPARTANBURG, S.C.-The Mercer Bears will open NCAA tournament play on Thursday, Nov. 21, when they travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to face the 17th-ranked Charlotte 49ers.
The Bears, who defeated UNC Greensboro 1-0 in the SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship on Sunday, learned their first-round destination during the NCAA Selection Show, which was streamed live on NCAA.com Monday afternoon. The winner of Thursday’s match will advance to face second-seeded Clemson in the second round on Sunday, Nov. 24, in Clemson, South Carolina.
Mercer (14-6-0) returns to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and will be making its fifth all-time appearance in the tournament. Goalkeeper JR DeRose will look to lead the Bears after being named the Most Outstanding Player during the SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship, as he posted four saves in the shutout win over UNCG in the final. Forward Trevor Martineau will also attempt to build off the momentum from Sunday’s match after netting the game-winner in the 62nd minute, his league-leading 14th goal of the season.
Charlotte (11-3-4) enters the tournament after dropping a match 1-0 to 13th-ranked Marshall in double overtime on Sunday in the Conference USA final in Norfolk, Virginia. The 49ers were ranked as high as No. 5 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll this season and currently sit at No. 17. Charlotte is led offensively by Teddy Chaouche with seven goals and eight assists, while goalkeeper Elliot Panicco has been solid in net, allowing just 11 goals all year for a 0.57 goals-against average.
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