University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men's Soccer Ties Mercer, 1-1
08.27.2011 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville and Mercer exchanged goals early in the second half as the teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the collegiate soccer opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
The teams played two overtime periods but could not score. Senior goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen made six saves for the Bulldogs (0-0-1).
Mercer controlled much of the first part of the match as the Bears ended up out-shooting Asheville 15-9. However, the Bulldogs controlled both overtime periods and nearly won the match in both the first and second overtime periods.
"We got better as the match went on today and that's always good to see," explained Asheville coach Matt Kern. "Mercer is a very dangerous team and they took it to us early but we settled down and got stronger as the match progressed. You always want a result but a tie is a good way to start the season against this Mercer team."
The Bears out-shot Asheville 4-0 in the opening half and nearly scored late in the first half when Richie Edmondson hit the goal post and had a shot go wide.
In the second half, the Bulldogs made their first shot of the game count. In a counter-attack, Hurskainen sent a long ball from the Asheville goal toward the Mercer side of the field. Branden Lassen picked up the loose ball and drilled a shot from seven yards out to put the home team in front, 1-0 at 51:06.
But the lead didn't last long. The Bears scored 39 seconds later when Ryan King tallied on a breakaway to knot the match at 1-1 at the 51:45 mark.
Mercer had some chances late in the game to win but Hurskainen had four saves in the second half.
Asheville plays next weekend at the James Madison/Fairfield Inn Invitational. The Bulldogs will take on St. Bonaventure on Friday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. They'll play James Madison on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
