Bears Find a Way to Win

J. Andrew Lockwood
Senior Editor / Columnist

In a wild turn of events, Mercer found a way to win last Sunday afternoon as they defeated Georgia State 2-1 in overtime. With the skies alternating between sun and rain, the tough match ended on a controversial call off of a Mercer free-kick that ultimately won the double overtime contest. In the 113th minute of the game, the officials allowed freshman Patricia Ann Upson a free-kick rather than a dropped ball after a Panther was injured on the field.

Upson’s pass to junior Sara Elliot was the difference maker as Elliot headed the pass behind goalkeeper Heidi Blankenship to win the game. It was after Elliot’s fourth goal of the season that Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli filed an official protest afterwards on the circumstances that surrounded Mercer’s free kick.

After the game, head coach Grant Serafy said, “I have to compliment Georgia State on its play and effort. I feel for them because they have a good team and will have a good season.” The loss on Sunday dropped the impressive Panthers squad to 6-2-0 on the year.

“Defensively, we were disorganized out there today,” Serafy added on MercerBears.com. “We did some things better offensively and I’m proud of the way the team scratched and clawed out the win,” he continued.

It was a defensive struggle indeed for both clubs as Mercer and Georgia State pushed the ball on their respective offensive ends. Mercer outshot Georgia State in the second half 9-4 as well as 16-12 over the course of the game and would register one more corner kick than the Panthers, 5-4. Still, the contest remained tied at the half until Mercer’s Olivia Tucker would score the first goal of the game early in the second half from a Lauren Johnson pass. The goal would be the sophomore’s third on the season.

It didn’t take long for Georgia State to answer fourteen minutes later as a Sarah Bennett pass was deposited by Apryl Goodwin for a Panther score. The score would remain 1-1 until Elliot’s goal in the second overtime. Both goalies had their work cut out for them over the course of the long match. Panther goalie Heidi Blankenship would record seven saves as Mercer’s Jean Worts and Cristina Guilarte would split time between the white posts, totaling six combined saves.

Midway through the season, the Bears now turn their attention to visiting conference foes Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson this weekend at Bear Field. Both games should provide plenty of excitement as both clubs will provide Mercer with a good conference test before traveling on the road. FGCU, the second best team in the conference with a 5-3-1 record will visit Friday night while the 4-4-0 Hatters come into town Sunday afternoon.