Georgia Southern University
3-0-2, 0-0-0
Mercer
3-2-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ga. Southern | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Mercer | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Eagles Outlast Delays, Mercer In 4-1 Win In Macon
8/28/2026 1:10:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Kendall Wilson notches a brace, Quinn Wilson makes career-high 12 saves in win over the Bears
MACON, Ga. - Georgia Southern got a brace from fifth-year Kendall Wilson and a career-high 12 saves from fourth-year goalkeeper Quinn Wilson to notch a 4-1 win over Mercer on Thursday night and Friday morning in Macon, Ga.
Originally scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at Betts Stadium, the Eagles (3-0-2) and the Bears (3-2) did not kick off until 10:50 p.m. after several delays, and finished the match just shy of 1:00 a.m. Georgia Southern did not let it affect them as the Eagles got on the board within the match's first five minutes.
A free kick a few yards outside of the box was set up for Wilson. Her delivery hit off the wall and bounced into the net for the early 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would then double the lead in the 36th minute. Off of a throw in, third-year forward Kendall Cook laid the ball off to third-year defender Maryann Beach on the right endline. Her cross into the box found the head of second-year forward Natalie Heckathorn, who placed it perfectly just underneath the crossbar for her first collegiate goal.
Georgia Southern would take that 2-0 lead into the half. The Eagles held a 7-5 edge in shots at the break.
In the second half, the Eagles would add a third goal from the spot. First-year forward Anna Braziunas for the Eagles drew a penalty in the 69th minute that was given after a VAR review. Wilson stepped up and finished for her second goal of the match and third of the season. She is the first Georgia Southern player to score twice in a match since Elis Nemtsov scored a brace vs. Appalachian State on September 17, 2021.
In the 84th minute, Mercer drew a penalty and the Bears' Payton Nutzman stepped to the spot. Her first try was saved by Georgia Southern goalkeeper Quinn Wilson, but Wilson was judged to have come off the line early. Nutzman's second try was good to make the score 3-1.
Georgia Southern would finish off the scoreline in the 89th minute on a counter attack. Braziunas picked up the ball at midfield and dribbled into the box, where she laid the ball off to a sprinting Meredith Pugh. Pugh finished just inside the right post for her second goal of the season.
The match finished with both teams collecting 15 shots apiece. Quinn Wilson made a career-high 12 saves in the contest, besting her previous high of 10 set against Georgia in 2023. The 12 saves are also the most for an Eagle keeper in a game since 2021. Georgia Southern held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks and the Eagles were whistled for 11 fouls and four offsides, compared to four fouls and four offsides for the Bears.
Georgia Southern is next in action on Sunday, visiting Murray State for a 1 p.m. non-conference contest in Murray, Ky.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Kendall Wilson (2)
GOAL by GSU Wilson, Kendall.
04:50
Natalie Heckathorn (1)
GOAL by GSU Heckathorn, Natalie. Assist by Beach, Maryann and Cook, Kaitlyn.
35:18
Kendall Wilson (2)
GSU Kendall Wilson PENALTY KICK GOAL.
68:16
Payton Nutzman (2)
MER Payton Nutzman PENALTY KICK GOAL.
83:43
Meredith Pugh (2)
Assisted By: Anna Braziunas
GOAL by GSU Pugh, Meredith Assist by Braziunas, Anna.
88:02
