Men's Soccer Edged by Mercer in Overtime Thriller
9/21/2009 12:18:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MACON, Ga. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer team (0-5-1) was edged by Mercer (1-3-2) 2-1 in an overtime thriller Sunday.
The Eagles out-shot the Bears 16-14 and 8-5 in shots on goal. Witt Carlisle (Alpharetta, Ga.) led the attack with eight shots, five of which were on target. His eight shots in the game tied him for fourth in school history.
Mercer struck first with a goal in the 19th minute. Ian Cameron recorded the goal on a low shot. The Eagles' defense responded and held them scoreless for the remainder of regulation.
The offense took advantage of the opportunity and was able to tie the match in the second half. Matt Crowell (St. Augustine, Fla.) recorded his first goal of the season in the 75th minute with a blast from outside the box.
The Bears scored the game-winning goal in the 97th minute off a low shot by Cameron. Chrispine Ong'Ango delivered the assist with a through pass, setting up Cameron's shot.
After a quick offensive start for Mercer, the Eagles controlled the ball and took three shots in a four minute period. Carlisle took two shots in the 13th minute. His first was blocked by a Mercer defender, but his second was on target, forcing Brett Petricek to make a save. Joe Madigan (Centennial, Colo.) missed wide of the net in the 17th minute.
The Eagles went back on the attack after the Bears' goal in the 19th minute. Carlisle recorded his second shot on goal in the 25th minute, but Brett Petricek made another save, keeping the Eagles off the board.
After a pair of corner kicks by Mercer, Jon Cox (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Madigan recorded shots. Cox missed high in the 31st minute. Madigan put a shot on target, forcing Brett Petricek to come up with the save.
Carlisle recorded a pair of shots to wrap up the first half. His first shot was a header that missed wide of the net. The second shot was on target, but Brett Petricek recorded another save.
Georgia Southern kept on the attack in the second half. They recorded two corner kicks in the 55th and 57th minutes. Ten minutes later, Madigan and Cox both took shots but missed high of the net. Another pair of corner kicks in the 73rd minute led to the Eagles' first goal in the 75th minute.
Georgia Southern did not let up after the goal and kept on the attack. Carlisle notched his fourth shot on goal in the 77th minute but was unable to find the back of the net. Cox took a shot on goal in the 80th minute, but Brett Petricek came up with the save.
The matched headed for overtime, and both teams took shots on goal in a two minute span. Carlisle recorded his fifth shot on goal, but Brett Petricek stepped in to make his seventh save of the night. Cameron found the back of the net on his shot on goal in the 97th minute to give Mercer the overtime win.
The Eagles head to USC Upstate Wednesday before opening conference play against the regular season champions Elon on Saturday.
