Georgia Southern University
4-1-1, 0-0-0
Mercer
0-5-2, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ga. Southern | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Beorlegui's Late Penalty Kick Gives Eagles 2-1 Win Over Mercer
9/14/2026 12:38:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. — The Eagles (4-1-1) defeated Mercer (0-5-2) 2-1 Sunday Night at Bo Pitts Field. Broden Beorlegui scored in the 82nd minute to put the Eagles ahead and secure his second straight game-winning goal.
In the first half Georgia Southern generated two early shots, with Broden Beorlegui missing left in the 5th minute and Mitch Picksley doing the same in the 8th minute. The Eagles found the back of the net in the 33rd minute when Charlie Votel took a deflected ball off his leg from a Mercer defender to put the Eagles ahead 1-0.
Mercer put together a stretch from the 30th to the 32nd minute with three corner kicks and two shots, but the Eagles came through without conceding. Joldy Diaz had a shot saved by Henry Hampshaw in the 38th minute and added another attempt just before halftime, while the Eagles took the 1-0 advantage to halftime.
In the second half with the Eagles ahead 1-0, Mercer answered with pressure of its own: Eli Bannister hit the woodwork in the 56th minute, Aristizabal saved Bannister's shot in the 60th minute, and Mercer added two corners during that stretch.
The Eagles came back with chances from Broden Beorlegui and Owen Barker, including Beorlegui's shot off the top of the goal in the 67th minute.
In the 70th minute Taylor found a seam between defenders and hit a curving shot from just inside the top left side of the box to tie the match 1-1. Beorlegui had another shot turned away in the 73rd minute.
In the 82nd minute after a lengthy review officials determined Beorlegui was fouled on an attempted shot in the box, giving him a penalty and an opportunity to put the Eagles ahead late. Beorlegui succeeded in his attempt finding the bottom right of the goal to put the Eagles ahead for good.
The Eagles created several chances around the middle of the second half before the late breakthrough, generating three shots and three corner kicks during a five-minute stretch while holding a 1-0 lead. Mercer also put together an overlapping attacking stretch with four shots and two corners, but the Eagles came through that sequence without conceding. For the match, the Eagles finished with 16 shots and eight shots on goal, compared with seven shots and three on goal for Mercer. Beorlegui led the Eagles attack with seven shots, three on goal and the penalty-kick finish, while Votel scored on his lone shot.
Next up, the Eagles begin Sun Belt Conference play on the road traveling to Coastal Carolina on Friday, Sep.18. Kickoff is set for 7:00PM at the CCU Soccer Complex.
Notable Notes:
- Broden Beorlegui scored his second straight game-winning goal.
- Eagles held a 16-7 advantage in shots.
- Charlie Votel scored the opening goal.
- The Eagles finished with a 16-7 advantage in shots, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal, and scored once in each half.
- The Eagles had not defeated the Bears in consecutive meetings since 2005-06.
- Lee Squires secures his 25th career win as Eagles head coach.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Charlie Votel (1)
GOAL by GASO Votel, Charlie.
32:34
Will Taylor (1)
GOAL by MERC Taylor, Will.
69:14
Broden Beorlegui (4)
GASO Broden Beorlegui PENALTY KICK GOAL.
81:58
