Men's soccer falls to Mercer, 2-1
Bears score each half to snap four-match conference losing streak
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Oct. 29, 2009 Sophomore midfielder Ryan Young set up both scores to help Mercer snap a four-match Atlantic Sun losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the JU men's soccer team on Thursday night at Bear Field in Macon, Ga.
The Bears (5-9-2, 4-4-0 A-Sun) took the early lead on Young's assist in the 18th minute to freshman forward Bryson Jones. Sophomore Zachary Rall benefited from Young's pass in the 62nd minute, while freshman goalie Brett Petricek had five stops in the victory.
Senior midfielder Stefan Runeman set a new career high with his sixth goal for the Dolphins (5-10-1, 3-5) in the 71st minute and senior goalie Joey Sanchez (2- 8-1) finished the night with a match-high seven saves.
"This just wasn't our night," said JU head coach Mike Johnson. "We fought hard, but they converted just one more of their chances than we did to get the win. Overall, we have one last shot on Saturday to fight our way into the conference tournament."
In the first half, the Dolphins had a shot attempt from sophomore midfielder Andy Mikeska and Runeman in the first 15 minutes, but they both missed their mark.
The Bears converted on their second attempt of the match to take a 1-0 lead as Jones scored on a header from a pass by Young and freshman defender Joey Heavaner.
Four of the next five JU attempts went wide of its mark to close out the first half of play.
In the second half, Mercer extended its lead to 2-0 in the 62nd minute after Rall slipped the ball past Sanchez on a pass through the line.
Runeman answered for the Dolphins less than eight minutes later by scoring on a penalty kick, but the Bears limited JU to just two more shots after the goal to quash any comeback.
The Dolphins close out the regular season on Saturday when they take on Campbell in Buies Creek, N.C. at 7 p.m.