Mercer University men’s soccer team will host the College of Charleston on Friday, October 30, at 5 p.m. at Betts Stadium in Macon, Georgia. The Bears will honor four seniors prior to kickoff for their contributions on and off the field. This game is the regular season finale for Mercer, who comes into the match with an overall record of 0-12-4 and a Southern Conference record of 0-4-2.
Mercer recently lost 4-2 at VMI in their Southern Conference finale. In that game, Bryce Griffith scored the fastest goal in Mercer men’s soccer history, netting a goal just 10 seconds into the match, tying the Southern Conference record. Defender Andrew Seward scored his first collegiate goal to help Mercer rally during the match. Head coach Brad Ruzzo will likely emphasize the seniors’ leadership as the team closes its challenging season.
College of Charleston enters this game with a 7-4-4 overall record and a 2-3-3 Coastal Athletic Association conference record, finishing third in the South division. The Cougars recently dropped a close 2-1 match to No. 24 UNC Wilmington. Key players include Stian Bendvold, who has five goals and 13 points on the season, and Matt Lenert, the team’s leading scorer with six goals.
The all-time series between Mercer and the College of Charleston stands at 5-7 in favor of the Cougars. However, Mercer holds a 4-1 record against Charleston when playing at home in Macon. Their last meeting was in 2007, a 1-0 victory for Charleston. Friday’s match will mark an important milestone as Mercer celebrates Senior Day while facing a strong CAA opponent at Betts Stadium.
GSB Take
Mercer men’s soccer approaches its regular season finale with the chance to honor its seniors despite a difficult year marked by a winless record. Bryce Griffith’s record-setting goal symbolizes brief moments of promise amid adversity. The Senior Day ceremony highlights the team’s commitment to leadership and resilience. Facing College of Charleston presents a challenging test against a competitive Coastal Athletic Association opponent. The experience of Mercer’s seniors will be vital as the program looks to build toward future seasons.
Source: Original report