MACON, Ga. – Two first half Mercer goals proved to be the difference, in a 2-1 non-conference victory over the North Florida men's soccer team this evening. The Ospreys held a 21-9 shot advantage in the contest but wasn't enough to overcome the first half deficit.
 
Tonight's loss drops the Ospreys overall record to 5-6-1 and improves Mercer to 13-6 on the year. The Bears, who clinched the Southern Conference Regular Season Championship on Saturday, avenged a season sweep last year that included an opening round upset loss to the Ospreys in the Atlantic Sun Championships. This year is Mercer's first season of competition in the Southern Conference.
 
Mercer goalkeeper, Greg Ranjitsingh was a huge part in the defensive effort put forth by the Bears. The senior netminder made a season-high 12 saves to limit the Osprey offensive onslaught. After holding the Ospreys scoreless for almost 70 minutes, freshman Bayley Cashion finally got North Florida on the scoreboard with his first collegiate goal. Cashion struck a ball from thirty yards out and nestled the shot into the top right corner of the net in the 69^th minute.
 
We started off a little flat but were able to change some things up and our guys ultimately stepped up," said Head Coach Derek Marinatos. "Bottom line is when you have that many chances especially in the second half you have to figure out a way to convert opportunities."
 
The second half was completely dominated by the Ospreys, who fired 13 of their 21 shots in the final 45 minutes. Junior Helge Pietschmann peppered the Mercer defense with eight shots, a new Division I single-game school mark.
 
The quick-hit, Mercer offense proved why it was one of the most dangerous attacks in the country in the early going. In the 12^th minute the Ospreys were called for a foul in the box giving Max Poore a penalty kick opportunity. Poore converted it for his fourth goal of the season. Keeping the pressure on, the Bears had a cross knock off an Osprey defender for an own goal just 70 seconds later.
 
Coming into the contest, Mercer was ranked 16^th in the country with 31 goals on the season. Striker Will Bagrou leads the Southern Conference with 11 goals, the sixth most nationally.
 
The Ospreys will return to the pitch on Saturday night for their regular season finale at Hodges Stadium against Northern Kentucky. Already qualified for postseason play, the Ospreys will be jockeying for playoff positioning. NKU on the other hand needs a win to get in. Saturday will also mark North Florida's Coaches vs. Cancer game as well as Senior Night. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. but fans are encouraged to arrive early.