Thursday, November 02, 2006

KENNESAW, Ga. – Ninety minutes was not enough to settle the first match of the 2006 Atlantic Sun Tournament, as the Mercer women's soccer team battled Gardner-Webb Thursday afternoon. The Bears were unable to claim redemption for their regular-season loss to the Bulldogs, as GWU advanced 6-5 in penalty kicks at KSU Soccer Complex.

Gardner-Webb (9-7-3) controlled the tempo early in the match, firing two shots within the first two minutes of the match, but Mercer goalkeeper came up with a pair of saves. After the teams swapped possession most of the half, Mercer (5-11-2) had a golden opportunity in the 25th minute off a corner kick. Erin Theobald tapped the ball to Darcy Stravitz, who put it past Bulldog goalkeeper Sarah Wyszynski to put the Bears up 1-0.

Mercer opened the second half with a lot of energy, firing three shots in the first nine minutes. One blocked shot led to a corner kick, but the Bears were unable to convert on their scoring opportunities. Meghan Castaldo narrowly missed a goal in the 61st minute when her shot bounced off the crossbar.

GWU's Lindsey Gladhill connected with the crossbar in the 77th minute, but Franchesca Formagie cleaned things up to give the Bulldogs the equalizer. In the second overtime, Catie Marshalek narrowly missed in the 104th minute when her shot went just wide right. Mercer had a corner kick moments later, but were unable to get off a shot.

The Bears had a chance to win in the first phase of penalty kicks, but Castaldo was stopped by Wyszynski. In the next phase of sudden death attempts, GWU's Jessica Lane connected after Mercer's Courtney Craig hit the post.

Gardner-Webb will take on #2 Stetson Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Release courtesy of Mercer Athletic Communications