Friday, November 11, 2005

Macon, Ga. - In men's soccer tournament action, No. 2 Stetson defeated host team, No. 3 Mercer, 3-1, Friday night at Bear field to advance to tomorrow's championship match against Campbell.

In the first half, Stetson scored a goal with five seconds remaining to take the lead 1-0 at halftime., Sean Marshall tapped in a goal on a low cross kick from Arthur Prescott. The Hatters took eight shots to Mercer's six. The Bears suffered a loss when first team all-conference pick Vicente Arze was injured, leaving the match early.

Just two minutes into the second half, Stetson's Alex Minton scored off a header assisted by Tanner Wolfe. In the 53rd minute, Rudy Mehrens scored an insurance goal to put the Stetson up 3-0. Mercer rallied with 10 minutes to spare, as Cliff Wilson took advantage of a loose ball, putting the Bears on the board, 1-3.

Mercer had a total of eight shots-on-goal attempts, but could not convert. A shot by Alan Colgan in the 86th minute was denied by goalie Evan White, who posted seven saves on the night. Mercer's Aldo Balsano recorded three.

The second-seeded Hatters will make their second trip to the conference finals in the past four years and will face top-seeded Campbell at 7 p.m. Saturday night.

Post-Game Audio

Stetson Head Coach Sean Murphy

on the team's scoring effort

on goalie Evan White

on facing Campbell in Championship

Stetson Senior Alex Minton

on team's performance

on scoring the second goal