Eagles Take 1-0 Victory Over Mercer In First Exhibition Match
8/21/2010 11:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Men's Soccer Team won its first exhibition of the 2010 season, defeating Mercer 1-0 Saturday in a weather shortened contest at Eagle Field.
Jon Cox (Alpharetta, Ga.) scored the game winner, blasting a free-kick off a member of the Mercer defensive wall and past a diving Dan VanValkinburgh into the right side of the goal in the 53rd minute.
The Eagles out-shot the Bears 4-2 in the match, with Cox taking two shots and Luigi Clendening (Augusta, Ga.) taking two shots. Ryan Platt (Preston, England) started the game in goal, and was relieved by Neal Bates (Watkinsville, Ga.) in the 61st minute. Neither goalkeeper was tested, as Mercer didn't get a shot on goal.
"I thought Jon (Cox) had a good game. Scoring a goal is always great for him, but he caused a lot of problems and, almost more importantly, his movement opened up spaces for other guys," Head Coach Kevin Kennedy said.
After a lengthy delay, the match was called with 18:18 left in the second half due to continuous lightning strikes in the area.
The Eagles next contest is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 25 against Lander University. The exhibition will begin at 4 p.m. at Eagle Field.
