JACKSONVILLE -- North Florida women's soccer got a goal from Thais Reiss midway through the second half to secure a hard fought 1-0 victory versus Mercer in their 2021 fall home debut.

RECORDS
North Florida | 3-1-0
Mercer | 1-2-0

GOALS
UNF - 79' | Thais Reiss (Kayla Bond)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first 10 minutes were sluggish for both teams as no shots were produced and play was focused in the midfield area
- Ariana Munoz laced a shot on frame in the 15th minute that forced a save for the Mercer keeper
- The Bears managed their first shot attempt in the 18th minute
- In the 21st minute, Carmel Oliveira created a solid shot attempt from the left wing drawing another MU save
- Midway through the first period, Kate Carter nodded a header off a corner kick service that appeared headed for the back of the net before a Mercer defender was able to smother it just before the goal line
- In the closing minute of the opening frame, Jess Camken saw her shot deflect off the woodwork and send the team's into intermission tied 0-0
- Early in the second period, Thais Reiss ripped a bending left-footed shot that glanced off the right post
- Mercer mounted its best scoring chance in the 54th minute, when Lana Whitfield blasted a shot from the top of the box toward the top of the goal but Osprey netminder Mercedes Sapp punched it harmlessly over the crossbar to keep a clean sheet
- Minutes later Oliveira had a bicyle kick attempt appear to be headed in but it clipped the crossbar
- Emma Voigt tracked down a long sideline service and raced toward the goal. Her low driving shot was pushed aside by a diving save from the Mercer goalie
- The Ospreys finally connected in the 79th minute as Kayla Bond's corner kick service found Reiss open in the middle of the box and the program's all-time goal scorer perfectly headed the ball into the top upper right corner for the eventual match winner

QUICK KICKS
- The goal is the 3rd of the season for Reiss and marked the second straight game with a goal | It marks her 36th career goal, moving her into sole possession of 3rd all-time at UNF | Marks her 16th career match-winning score
- Goalkeeper Mercedes Sapp tallied five saves in earning her second straight shutout | It marks the 7th career clean sheet for Sapp
- North Florida improves to 5-3-1 against FIU with tonight's win marking the fourth straight in the series for UNF
- Ospreys outshot the Bears, 17-7, producing 7 shots on goal
- 11 different UNF players recorded shot attempts in the match

UP NEXT
North Florida continues their current three-match home stand next Sunday against Winthrop at 1 p.m.

FAULCONER TALE
"Tonight was definitely a grind but this team seems to find a way. I think our depth definitely made a difference tonight. We are just missing the final piece of compusure in the final third, but I am confident that will come soon. We are 3-1 and have a week to get ready fo our next home match against Winthrop." - Head coach Eric Faulconer