MACON, Ga.- The Mercer University men’s soccer team has announced its schedule for the 2005 season. The Bears, who return 15 players from last season’s squad that advanced to the A-Sun Tournament Championship game, open the regular season with three consecutive tournaments on the road and will play at home for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 24 when the Bears welcome Appalachian State to Bear Field.

The schedule features two teams that reached the 2004 NCAA Tournament (Coastal Carolina and Creighton) and four Southern Conference opponents (Elon, Furman, Appalachian State and Georgia Southern).

The Bears kick off the preseason with a weekend exhibition match at home vs. the College of Charleston, Aug. 27, followed by a visit to Emory in Atlanta.

Mercer opens regular-season play in the N.C. State Tournament, facing Elon (Sept. 3), then taking on host N.C. State the following Monday. The Bears travel to Greenville, S.C., for the Furman Tournament (Sept.9-11), squaring off against SoCon opponent Furman in the opening match, followed by a Sunday morning matchup against the Chanticleers. Last season, Coastal Carolina won the Big South Tournament for the eighth time in school history and qualified for their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

It doesn’t get any easier for coach Tom Melville’s squad as the Bears then head to the midwest, where they will play two Missouri Valley Conference members in the Creighton University Diadora Challenge (Sept. 16-18). Mercer faces Drake University in the opener (Sept. 16), followed by host Creighton (Sept. 18). The Bluejays finished the 2004 campaign ranked 16th in the nation, being ousted from the NCAA Tournament by third-seeded Maryland.

Mercer returns to face Berry College in Mt. Berry, Ga. before its season-opening three-game homestand. Appalachian State visits the Bears, Sept. 24, and Mercer opens its conference slate with a weeknight tilt hosting Lipscomb (Sept. 29) and rounding out the homestand with Belmont, Oct. 1.

The Bears play host to instate-rival Georgia Southern in a mid-week match on Wed., Oct. 19 and wrap up the regular season by hosting Winthrop at Bear Field, Sat., Nov. 5, before hosting the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.


2005 Schedule
<span style='font-family:courier'>August 
27   College of Charleston          Home    TBA
29   Emory                          Away    7pm

September
     NC State University Tournament, Raleigh, NC
3    Elon                           Away    2pm
5    NC State                       Away    2pm

     Furman University Tournament, Greenville, SC.
9    Furman University              Away    7:30pm
11   Coastal Carolina               Away   11:30am
     
     Creighton University Tournament, Omaha, NEB
16   Drake                          Away    TBA
18   Creighton                      Away    1pm

21   Berry College                  Away    4pm
24   Appalachian State Univ.        Home    1pm
29  *Lipscomb Univ.                 Home    7pm

Oct. 
1   *Belmont Univ.                  Home    7pm
6   *Gardner Webb Univ.             Away    7pm
8   *Campbell University            Away    7pm
13  *Univ. of N. Florida            Home    7pm
16  *FAU                            Home    2pm
19  *Georgia Southern Univ.         Home    7pm          
23  *Jacksonville University        Away    3pm
25  *Stetson University             Away    7pm

November
5   Winthrop                        Home    7pm

9-12 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament @ Mercer University
</span>

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the 2005 Atlantic Sun Conference title and the A-Sun Tournament, it was announced Friday.

The Bears and Florida Atlantic each received four first-place votes from the league’s coaches, but Mercer garnered 76 total points overall, while FAU tallied 69 points, giving the edge to the Bears. Stetson was picked third followed by Belmont, which received one first-place vote. Jacksonville, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, North Florida and Lipscomb rounded out the predictions.

Mercer has not finished lower than fourth in the A-Sun regular season since 1999, and the Bears have finished in the top spot three of the last five seasons.

Mercer is also the coaches’ favorite to win the A-Sun Tournament. The Bears won the event in 1999 and 2001, and will host the championship for the second time in as many years.

Last season the Bears went 7-4-1 in A-Sun play and entered the postseason tournament as the third seed, winning two matches before falling to top-seeded UCF, 1-0, in the finals.

Leading the charge for Mercer will be 2004 A-Sun Freshman-of-the-Year Vicente Arze, the squad’s leading scorer (3 goals, 7 assists) and senior Del Olaoye (5 goals, 2 assists). Arze and Olaoye were named to the league’s first team all-conference squad last year. Olaoye ranks sixth on the school’s career goals list and has tallied 52 career points to rank sixth in school history. Also returning for their senior campaigns are Alan Colgan, Ben Ragan, Jason Erickson, Jay Bracknell and Cliff Wilson.

Mercer opens the season with exhibition matches against the College of Charleston, Emory and the Ghana U17 National team then begins the regular season campaign with seven straight matches on the road, including three consecutive tournaments. Appalachian State visits the Bears, Sept. 24, to open the home slate.

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the 2005 Atlantic Sun Conference title and the A-Sun Tournament, it was announced Friday.

The Bears and Florida Atlantic each received four first-place votes from the league’s coaches, but Mercer garnered 76 total points overall, while FAU tallied 69 points, giving the edge to the Bears. Stetson was picked third followed by Belmont, which received one first-place vote. Jacksonville, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, North Florida and Lipscomb rounded out the predictions.

Mercer has not finished lower than fourth in the A-Sun regular season since 1999, and the Bears have finished in the top spot three of the last five seasons.

Mercer is also the coaches’ favorite to win the A-Sun Tournament. The Bears won the event in 1999 and 2001, and will host the championship for the second time in as many years.

Last season the Bears went 7-4-1 in A-Sun play and entered the postseason tournament as the third seed, winning two matches before falling to top-seeded UCF, 1-0, in the finals.

Leading the charge for Mercer will be 2004 A-Sun Freshman-of-the-Year Vicente Arze, the squad’s leading scorer (3 goals, 7 assists) and senior Del Olaoye (5 goals, 2 assists). Arze and Olaoye were named to the league’s first team all-conference squad last year. Olaoye ranks sixth on the school’s career goals list and has tallied 52 career points to rank sixth in school history. Also returning for their senior campaigns are Alan Colgan, Ben Ragan, Jason Erickson, Jay Bracknell and Cliff Wilson.

Mercer opens the season with exhibition matches against the College of Charleston, Emory and the Ghana U17 National team then begins the regular season campaign with seven straight matches on the road, including three consecutive tournaments. Appalachian State visits the Bears, Sept. 24, to open the home slate.

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MACON, Ga.-The Mercer men’s soccer team has added the Ghana U17 National team to their exhibition schedule for Wednesday, August 31.

The Ghana National team will be touring the United States to tune up for the Youth World Cup which begins next month. Also on Ghana’s tour will be meetings with Virginia Commonwealth University, the Charleston Battery of the A-League and the Atlanta Silverbacks.

The exhibition is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Bear Field. Admission prices for this game only will be $5.00 per person, $15.00 for a family of four or $40.00 for a team of 11 and one coach. The team must be in uniform at the event.

Do we host the tourney again this year? that was an exciting tourney to host this year. and i'm not the biggest soccer guy in the world, but i know ucf and ga state was our major competition. will it be a little easier now? i like having home field advantage with a shot at the tourney though. wish men's bball could host soon. winning around mercer is good, i hope these boys live up to the billing. i know that Del is one of the most exciting soccer players i have ever watched(which isn't many so don't hold it against me).

Mercer Hosts College of Charleston In Exhibition Match

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer squad will kick off the 2005 season with the first of three scheduled exhibition matches on Friday night as the Bears welcome the College of Charleston to Bear Field for a 7:00 p.m. start. Mercer will face Elon in N.C. State’s tournament in its first regular-season match, Sept. 3.

Mercer welcomes back seven of their top eight scorers from last season, including leading scorer Alan Colgan (7 G, 2 A, 16 pts.) and 2004 A-Sun Freshman-of-the-Year Vicente Arze. Along with Arze, senior Del Olaoye was named to the league’s first team All-Conference squad. Olaoye already ranks sixth on the school’s career goals list and has tallied 52 career points to rank sixth in school history. The Bears are coming off a season in which Mercer went 11-9-1 overall and 7-3-1 in Atlantic Sun play, while advancing to the A-Sun tournament title match.

The Bears have been chosen as the preseason favorites to win the 2005 Atlantic Sun regular-season title as well as the conference tournament.

The Cougars are coming off a 17-6-1 overall record last season, including a 5-1-1 SoCon record, and advancing to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996 by winning the Southern Conference Tournament. Charleston has been tabbed to finish fourth in the Southern Conference in 2005. The Cougars lost four starters off last season’s roster, including top scorer Ben Hollingsworth (9 G, 1 A, 19 pts.), but return three of their top six scorers.

The College of Charleston holds a 7-6 advantage in the all-time regular-season series.

The Bears travel to Atlanta to face Emory University, Monday, Aug. 29, in the second of their three exhibition matches before taking on the Ghana U-17 National squad, Wed., Aug. 31.

Mercer Falls To College of Charleston In Exhibition Match

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer squad fell to the College of Charleston, 3-1, Friday night at Bear Field in the first of three scheduled exhibition matches for the Bears.

The match was a defensive struggle throughout the first half, as neither team was able to find the back of the net. The College of Charleston controlled much of the action in the opening 20 minutes, and mounted the first serious scoring threat when forward Matt Morriss fired a shot that was swatted away by a diving David Bird of Mercer at the 4:23 mark. Bird also recorded two more of his game-high five saves in the span of eight seconds just nine minutes later as the teams swarmed just in front of the Bears’ goal.

Mercer came alive offensively late in the opening half, but still was outshot 11-5 in the first half.

Senior midfielder Alan Colgan gave Mercer the lead in the 48th minute when he scored off a penalty kick. The Cougars’ Darren Toby netted the equalizer in the 60th minute and freshman John Bello scored the game-winning goal just over seven minutes later. The College of Charleston gained some breathing room on an own-goal by the Bears less than a minute later.

Colgan managed three shots on the night to lead the Bears, while rookie Luis Hernandez tallied two shots. Hernandez, Colgan, junior Mark McKeever, Clif Wilson and Galo Bueno each notched a shot on goal for Mercer.

“I was encouraged by what I saw tonight,

Men’s Soccer Visits Emory

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team travels to Atlanta to face Emory University, Monday in what will be its second exhibition match of the preseason in four days, while facing an Eagles squad that is playing its only exhibition match.

The Bears are coming off a close 3-1 exhibition loss to the College of Charleston at Bear Field last Friday, in which neither team managed to find the back of the net until Mercer senior midfielder Alan Colgan scored on a penalty kick in the 48th minute. The Cougars responded by scoring the tying goal at the 60:03 mark and notched the game-winning score just more than seven minutes later.

Emory is coming off a 12-4-2 overall record last season, including a 3-2-2 record in the University Athletic Association.

After Mercer plays host to the U-17 national squad from Ghana, Wed., Aug. 31, in their final preseason tuneup, the Bears open the 2005 regular-season campaign with seven straight matches on the road, including three consecutive tournaments. Mercer kicks off the regular season against Elon University in the Adidas Wolfpack Classic, hosted by N.C. State, Sept. 3.

Men’s Soccer Match Canceled

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer exhibition match with the U-17 National team from Ghana originally scheduled for Wed., Aug. 31, has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.

Mercer Downs Emory In Final Exhibition Match

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team battled through the rain and wind, shutting out Emory University, 1-0, in Atlanta Monday night to even their preseason record at 1-1.

The homestanding Eagles out shot Mercer 11-8 on the night and tallied five corner kicks to the Bears’ two, but Mercer senior Clif Wilson scored an unassisted goal in the 77th minute to give the Bears the victory. Wilson and junior Luis Hernandez paced Mercer with two shots, while senior forward Del Olaoye, Omar Liendo, Andrew Jones and Mark McKeever garnered one shot apiece.

Goalkeepers David Bird and Aldo Balsano again split time between the pipes for the Bears, combining to help close down the Eagles’ attack.

Mercer kicks off the 2005 regular season Sat., Sept. 3, facing Elon University in the opening round of the Adidas Wolfpack Classic, hosted by N.C. State.

Men’s Soccer Opens Season at Adidas Wolfpack Classic

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team kicks off the regular season Saturday against Elon University in the opening round of the Adidas Wolfpack Classic, hosted by N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.

The Bears begin the regular season after breaking even in their two exhibition matches, falling, 3-1, to College of Charleston, Aug. 26, at Bear Field, then topping Emory University, 1-0, last Monday night in Atlanta.

Seniors Alan Colgan and Clif Wilson led the Bears’ offense in the preseason, each scoring an unassisted goal. Colgan scored the first goal of the season for Mercer on a penalty kick in the College of Charleston contest, while Wilson’s goal proved to be the game-winner in the final preseason tuneup at Emory.

“It feels good to get the regular season underway,

Bears Drop Season Opener To Elon

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team fell, 2-1, in overtime to Elon Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both squads at the Adidas Wolfpack Classic, hosted by N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.

Elon sophomore midfielder Brett Paschall took a low cross from teammate Aaron Parker and knocked in the game-winning goal with just over five minutes gone in the extra period.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening half, but the Phoenix took the lead on sophomore Douglas Boateng’s unassisted goal at the 63:30 mark of the second frame. Mercer sophomore Del Olaoye notched the equalizer with just under 10 minutes left in the match when Nelson Waynesboro found Olaoye with a cross into the box.

The Bears, playing without the services of 2004 A-Sun Freshman-of-the-Year Vicente Arze, who is nursing an injury, out shot Elon (1-0), 16-9, including an 11-4 advantage in the second half, but were unable to get a shot away in overtime. Mercer also recorded nine shots on goal to Elon’s three, but Phoenix junior net-minder Taylor Saxe was able to keep the Bears’ attack at bay, garnering eight saves on the afternoon.

Olaoye, who tied former Bear Dean Blain (1995-98) for fifth place on the school’s career goals list with his 23rd career score, led the Mercer offensive attack, tallying a game-high four shots, including three shots on goal. The Bears’ Mark McKeever recorded three shots, while senior Alan Colgan and newcomer Luis Hernandez posted two shots apiece.

“I was a little disappointed defensively,

Bears Fall, 5-1, To N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C.- The Mercer men’s soccer team dropped its second straight match, 5-1, to host N.C. State in the Adidas/Wolfpack Classic Sunday afternoon.

N.C. State (1-2) struck first at the 24:53 mark of the first half when freshman Ronnie Bouemboue netted his first career goal, knocking home a deflected shot on goal by teammate Ernesto Di Laudo. The Bears were out shot 9-3 in the opening half but Mercer net-minder Aldo Balsano recorded two of his three saves in the opening 45 minutes, as the Wolfpack carried the 1-0 edge into intermission

Mercer (0-2) would not get a shot away until the 27th minute, then the Bears erupted with three shots in less than three minutes. Junior Mark McKeever’s fired a shot that went wide at the 26:59 mark followed less than a minute later by senior Alan Colgan’s shot that was saved by Wolfpack goalie Aaron Sanders. The Bears kept the pressure on as Luis Hernanzez forced Sanders to come up with another save in the 30th minute of action. Unfortunately for the Bears, none of the shots found their mark.

The Bears’ Del Olaoye notched the first of his two shots on goal at the 61:29 mark, but it was Bouemboue that scored in the 64th minute, giving N.C. State a 2-0 lead. His goal was the first of four scores recorded by the Wolfpack in a 25-minute span that put the contest away.

Olaoye scored Mercer’s lone goal of the afternoon off an assist from Colgan with just more than three minutes left in the match.

The Bears were out shot 16-6 on the afternoon, with Olaoye and Hernandez garnering two shots apiece, while Colgan and McKeever each tallied one shot.

Mercer (0-2) will travel to Furman next weekend and compete in the Diadora/Spinx Futrman Invitational. The Bears will take on host Furman Friday night, and play Coastal Carolina on Sunday afternoon.

Men’s Soccer Opens Tournament Play at Furman Invitational

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team continues its challenging non-conference slate as the Bears go on the road for the second straight weekend, taking part in the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational, in Greenville, S.C.

The Bears will square off against host Furman in the nightcap Friday following the Coastal Carolina-Ohio State matchup. Mercer, the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun league title, will square off against Coastal Carolina, the preseason pick to win the Big South, Sunday afternoon.

Mercer is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening weekend that saw them drop a pair of contests at the Adidas/Wolfpack Classic. The Bears fell, 2-1, in overtime to Elon in the opening round of the Classic, then dropped a 5-1 decision to N.C. State last Sunday.

“We are continuing to experiment with player combinations,

Men’s Soccer Tops Furman In Diadora/Spinx Invitational

Greenville, S.C.- Led by sophomore Vicente Arze’s two goals, the Mercer men’s soccer team won its first match of the season downing Furman, 3-2, in the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational.

Arze, who missed the Bears’ first two games of the season due to an injury, scored his first goal of the season off an assist from junior midfielder Luis Hernandez in the 29th minute to give Mercer a 1-0 lead. Senior Clif Wilson took a feed from Del Olaoye, scoring a breakaway goal at the 41:27 mark, giving the Bears a 2-0 lead going into intermission.

The Paladins struck early in the second half, notching two goals in the first seven minutes of the period, to even the score. Sophomore Eliot Paschalis scored Furman’s first goal on a cross from defender Kevin Norman, pulling the Paladins to within one at the 47:12 mark. Forward Brian Martin scored the equalizer just more than five minutes later off an assist from sophomore Shea Salinas.

Arze scored the game-winning goal in the 79th minute on his third shot of the evening. Furman would get away only one more attempt in the final 11 minutes as the Bears defense held the Paladins at bay.

Furman (0-1-3) out shot Mercer 16-10 on the night, and recorded seven corner kicks to the Bears’ five.

Mercer sophomore Aldo Balsano picked up the first win of his collegiate career, recording seven saves.

Mercer (1-2) will face Coastal Carolina in the first of two matches scheduled for Sunday’s conclusion of the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational, with kickoff slated for 11:30 a.m.

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Men’s Soccer Faces Coastal Carolina in Furman Invitational

GREENVILLE, S.C.- The Mercer men’s soccer team looks to make it two in a row as it wraps up play in the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational, taking on Coastal Carolina Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Mercer (1-2) defeated Furman by a count of 3-2 in the second game of the tournament Friday night, earning its first win of the 2005 campaign. On the other side of the ledger, Coastal Carolina fell, 3-1, to No. 24 Ohio State in the opening game of the tournament.

The matchup between Mercer and Coastal Carolina (1-2) features a pair of preseason conference favorites, with Mercer the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Sun Conference, while the Chanticleers were the preseason favorite to win the Big South.

Sophomore Vicente Arze helped lead Mercer past Furman, scoring two goals, including the game winner in the 79th minute. Senior Clif Wilson notched a breakaway goal that gave the Bears a 2-0 halftime lead. The Paladins evened the score with two goals early in the second period, setting the stage for Arze’s game-winner. Junior Luis Hernandez and senior Del Olaoye each notched an assist for the Bears.

Coastal Carolina owns a 6-0 advantage in the overall series between the two schools, with the Chanticleers coming out on top, 3-1, in their most recent clash in 2002.

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Bears Fall, 5-3, To Coastal Carolina In Furman Invitational

GREENVILLE, S.C.- Coastal Carolina’s Jordie Hughes scored the tying and game-winning goals as the Chanticleers rallied to defeat the Mercer men’s soccer team in the
Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational.

Coastal Carolina opened the scoring in the fifth minute as midfielder Dominic Rossi
placed a shot around Mercer goalkeeper Aldo Balsano from 15 yards out. The Chanticleers extended their lead just three minutes later as senior Joseph Kabwe scored an unassisted goal at the 7:06 mark.

Mercer cut into the deficit in the 37th minute as senior Del Olaoye converted a penalty kick as a result of the Bears’ Cliff Wilson receiving a ball in the penalty area and being fouled by Coastal Carolina goalkeeper Aaron Weant.

The Bears’ Vicente Arze evened the score at the 64:12 mark as his unassisted goal beat Chanticleer goalkeeper Ryan Nowak to the far post. The score was Arze’s third goal of the tournament.

The Bears finally grabbed the lead just 13 second later as junior Luis Hernandez took
an Olaoye pass and banked his 16 yard shot into the net.

Coastal Carolina tied the score at three goals apiece in the 69th minute when Rossi sent a through ball to Jordie Hughes who got behind the Bears’ defense. Hughes’ first touch beat the Mercer goalkeeper, and Hughes touched the ball into the back of the net.

Hughes’ second goal of the contest gave Coastal Carolina the lead in the 79th as the senior forward controlled a pass off a free kick at the top of the box and his shot through traffic beat Mercer freshman goalkeeper David Bird.

The Chanticleers added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute on an own goal as a Mercer defender’s attempt to clear the ball ended up in the back of the Bears’ net.

Mercer returns to action next weekend, as it travels to the Midwest, squaring off against a pair of Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Bears visit Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday for an 8:30 p.m. kickoff, then travel to Omaha, Neb., for a Sunday afternoon match with Creighton.

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Arze Named Player of the Week

MACON, Ga.- Mercer sophomore forward Vicente Arze was named the Atlantic Sun men’s soccer Player-of-the-Week on Monday after scoring three goals in the Bears’ two games at the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational this past weekend.

He took three shots and scored on two of them, helping lead the Bears to a 3-2 win over Furman in the first round of the tournament. Arze notched Mercer’s first goal in the 29th minute and the Bears’ game-winning score at the 78:29 mark.

The native of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, who missed Mercer’s first two matches of the season due to injury, also tallied a goal on his only shot of the afternoon in the Bears’ 5-3 loss to Coastal Carolina, Sunday. His goal in the 65th minute tied the game after Mercer had fallen behind 2-0.

“We are happy to have Vicente back,

Men’s Soccer Visits Drake

MACON, Ga.- The Bears find themselves on the road for the third straight weekend as they head to the Midwest, facing a pair of Missouri Valley Conference opponents this weekend. Mercer squares off against Drake, Friday night, then travels west on I-80 to face Creighton for a Sunday afternoon contest.

“We are excited about playing two historically tough teams,

No. 15 Creighton Edges Bears, 1-0, In Diadora Challenge


OMAHA, NEB.- In a match featuring a pair of preseason conference favorites, Mercer battled No. 15 Creighton on even terms for nearly 83 minutes, but Creighton’s Michael Kraus scored the only goal of the contest at the 82:59 mark, and the Bluejays went on to out duel the Mercer men’s soccer team, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Morrison Stadium.

Kraus’ goal, his third of the season, came off a header from freshman forward Byron Dacy, and extended Mercer’s winless streak to three matches.

“We made adjustments since Friday night’s loss and it finally clicked,

Men’s Soccer Travels To Berry College

MACON, Ga.- The Mercer men’s soccer team returns to action when it takes on Berry College, Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Mt. Berry, Ga. The Bears will be looking to build on momentum gained from a well-played match at No. 15 Creighton last Sunday in the Diadora Challenge.

The Bears are 1-5 following the 1-0 loss to the homestanding Bluejays. Mercer battled Creighton on even terms for nearly 83 minutes, but CU scored the only goal of the contest at the 82:59 mark, and went on to hold off the Bears for the final seven minutes to pull out the win at Morrison Stadium. Seniors Ben Ragan and Del Olaoye earned all-tournament team honors.

“We are facing another top-notch opponent,

Bears Rally To Defeat Berry College

MT. BERRY, Ga.- Led by senior Del Olaoye’s season-high two goals, the Mercer men’s soccer team rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Berry College, 3-1, Wednesday afternoon at Ford Soccer Field.

Berry sophomore David Bell scored the game’s first goal in the 62nd minute off an assist from teammate Teja Barkmann to put the Vikings up 1-0.

The road-weary Bears started slowly and were sluggish on the hot afternoon, but Mercer’s Vicente Arze tallied the equalizer just under three minutes later, as sophomore Antonio da Costa Gama recorded his first career assist at Mercer. Olaoye found the back of the net at the 72:48 mark of the contest for what turned out to be the game-winning score. The native of Stafford, England scored his fifth goal of the season in the 80th minute to seal the victory.

“I was very pleased to get the win,