|
10/1/2009 - WOMEN'S SOCCER
Mercer and Jacksonville Battle in Game of the Week
|
Print
MACON, Ga. - Mercer travels to Jacksonville, Fla., in dire need of its first conference win, to take on the Dolphins in the Atlantic Sun Game of the Week at 6:00 p.m. on Friday from the Ashley Sports Complex. Fans can catch all the action live on ASunTV.
Mercer, 16-4-1 against A-Sun schools the last previous seasons and picked second in the A-Sun Preseason Coaches’ Poll as the reigning regular-season champion, enters the weekend winless in conference action after three matches. Jacksonville, picked fifth by the coaches, starts the weekend atop the conference standings and on a four-game winning streak.
Eva Leeper leads the Dolphins offense tying for sixth in the conference in points and goals. Jacksonville has powered its way to the top of the conference with an offensive outburst in its last four matches. The Dolphins managed four goals in their first seven matches with only one multi-goal game. However, during its four-game winning streak, Jacksonville has posted 11 goals with multiple goals in each match.
Mercer picked up a tie with then No. 16 Georgia in Athens, Ga. in non-conference play but the Bears have struggled in conference play surrendering six goals in their first three games of A-Sun action.
Mercer’s forward Olivia Tucker against Jacksonville’s goalkeeper Alexa Rooney should be a key matchup as Jacksonville holds a team goals-against average of 1.84 and a .635 save percentage. Tucker, a midfielder for the Bears has peppered goalkeepers this season with 33 shots.
Mercer has controled the first half of its matches this season outscoring its opponents 9-3 in the first. It’s the second half that done in the Bears, who have allowed 10 second-period goals. Conversely, the Dolphins have traditionally started slow this season, netting only six first-half goals. Jacksonville has also posted two shutouts in its last three games.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.
