Southern Conference

Men's Soccer Southern Conference

Mercer falls to Charlotte in NCAA tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -  The 2019 Mercer men’s soccer season came to an end on Thursday evening as it was defeated 3-1 in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship by Charlotte. This was the Bears' fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.


HOW IT HAPPENED

The 49ers, who are ranked No. 15 in the nation, had the early scoring chances as Axel Sigurdarson's shot was blocked and Kameron Lacey saw his shot went soar wide. The first shot for the Bears came three minutes later by Dawson Gideon, who took a shot that was blocked and resulted in a Mercer corner kick. Following the corner kick, Joshua Harrison found a loose ball in the box and scored. Harrison’s goal was the first goal for the Bears in NCAA tournament play.

About ten minutes later, the 49ers tied the game at 1-1. Sigurdarson found Luke Johnson for a goal and with around eight minutes left in the first half, Charlotte's Chance Pellerin scored from a following a corner kick to put Charlotte ahead 2-1.

The Bears kept up the offensive pressure on the 49ers in the second half as Dylan Gaither put a shot on goal for the Bears, but Elliot Panicco denied the equalizing goal. Four minutes later, Jason Nduese-Udom took a shot to the top center of the goal and again Panicco was strong in net to deny the Bears. Mercer’s Roberto Arteaga also sent a shot on goal late in the second half and but his effort was parried away by the 49er goalkeeper. 

With just under seven minutes to go in the match, the 49ers lined up for one of its 14 corner kicks. Johnson took the corner and Patrick Hogan scored, extending the lead to 3-1 in favor of Charlotte. Mercer could not get another shot on goal and the season came to an end as Charlotte defeated Mercer, 3-1.


NOTABLES

  • The 14 wins for the Bears during the 2019 season ties a single-season program record.
  • Joshua Harrison scored the first goal for the Bears in the NCAA tournament
  • The 2019 season marked the fifth time the Mercer Bears earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
  • The goal by Joshua Harrison was his first goal of the season.
  • Mercer recorded six shots on goal compared to the five from Charlotte.
  • Only one team this season has scored more than one goal on Charlotte.