ATLANTA - The Mercer men's soccer team dropped its first road test of the season with a 2-0 setback at Georgia State at the GSU Soccer Complex on Tuesday evening.
The Bears held the advantage in corner kicks, 9-5, and saves, 6-4. Ricardo Packer Jr. documented a game-high four shots in the match, while Trevor Martineau added three shots. JR DeRose made six saves on the night, including five in the first half and two on penalty kicks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer and Georgia State traded blows throughout the first 45 minutes of the match. The Bears generated six of the first nine shots, including three off the foot of Martineau. DeRose was locked in throughout the first half, accumulating five saves. His two biggest stops came in the 35th and 41st minutes when he saved a pair of GSU penalty kicks to keep the visitors in the contest.
After going into the break in a scoreless tie, the Panthers got on the board in the 51st minute on a goal by Ross Finnie. Aris Briggs added an insurance goal in the 89th minute for GSU.
NOTABLES
- The Bears were held without a goal for the first time since Oct. 29 of last season against UNCG, snapping a streak of eight-straight games with a goal.
- Mercer has led in corner kicks in all three games this season.
- The Bears were outshot for the first time this season, 14-11.
- DeRose's six saves were his most in a game since a career-high eight stops against Furman last season on Nov. 10.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to the pitch on Saturday when they welcome South Carolina to Betts Field for a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.