Men’s Soccer Ends Season in Atlantic Sun Tournament

Saturday, November 7

Jacksonville, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

Mercer

Photo by: Sideline Sports/UNF Athletics

11/7/2009 9:30:23 PM | Men's Soccer

UNF fell to Mercer, 3-0

By: UNF Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team ended the 2009 season as the Ospreys fell 3-0 to Mercer on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hodges Stadium in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

With the win, the Bears (6-10-2) advance to the semifinals to take on No. 1 seed Campbell in Buies Creek, N.C., while the loss ends the Ospreys' (4-13-1) season. The men's soccer team advanced to the postseason for the first time since reclassification to full Division I membership.

“My hat's off to Mercer,” head coach Ray Bunch remarked after the match. “I thought we played really well for the first 20 minutes, but Mercer was able to take advantage of some set plays and get an early lead. It was one of those nights. I thought we could have played until midnight and the ball just wouldn't have gone in. Mercer made it difficult for us all night and they worked really hard. They did what they set out to do. Good luck to them in the tournament.”

Aside from the score, the match was virtually even statistically. UNF held a slight 11-to-9 advantage in shots. The Ospreys recorded three saves to two by the Bears. Mercer took five corner kicks compared to three by North Florida. The Ospreys recorded 10 fouls in the match while the Bears had six.

Senior Frank Dinzey led all players with five shots on the night. Senior David Pollard added three shots for the Ospreys, including a shot on goal. Sophomore Peter Lauer added a pair of shots with a shot on goal, while junior Adam O'Neill also added a shot.

Mercer's first score came as Ryan Young headed a cross off of a corner by Ian Cameron in the 31st minute to take a 1-0 lead. The duo of Young and Cameron teamed up again for a nearly identical play in the 56th minute to take a 2-0 advantage.

The Bears scored their third and final goal of the night in the 59th minute of the match. William Betts collected a deflected ball in front of the goal for an easy score.

Neither team was able to score a goal in the final 30 minutes of the match and Mercer won by a final score of 3-0.