MACON, Ga. – The men's soccer team fell to the Mercer Bears 2-1 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Bear Field.
 
Mercer midfielder Jordan Duru scored the game-winning goal in the second minute of the overtime period to win it for the Bears. He nailed home a ball that rebounded off Terrier goalkeeper Joe Wichmann, who had saved defender Ian Antley's shot on the previous play. Antley was therefore credited with the assist on Duru's goal.
 
Physical play best described the first half, as each team fought hard for possession. The Terriers held possession for longer in the first half, consequently outshooting Mercer in the first half 9-6. However, neither team found the back of the net, so the half ended scoreless.
 
"I thought our energy was better in the first half for probably the first time all year," Head Coach Ralph Polson said after the match. "We'd been so slow to start, and I felt like that wasn't the case today."
 
In the 51^st minute, the Terriers had a prime chance to score first. A penalty in the box set up a penalty kick for midfielder Nestor Jaramillo. Bear goalkeeper Jeremy Booth however guessed correctly on the shot and saved the groundball shot to keep the game scoreless.
 
Wofford (6-2-1, 1-1-0 SoCon) finally broke through in the 70th minute. Forward Nicky Watson pushed the ball down the left side of the field, eventually finding midfielder Connor Donohue in the middle. Donohue then took a couple touches to his left before shooting the ball past Booth and into the net for his third goal of the season.
 
Mercer (6-4-0, 1-1-0 SoCon) however answered in the 84th minute with a goal from forward Will Bagrou, tying the match at 1-1 and sending it to overtime. Midfielder Conner Antley notched an assist on Bagrou's second goal of the season.
 
Overall, Mercer outshot the Terriers 19-14 and took four corner kicks compared to the Terriers' two corner attempts. Both teams combined to have 26 fouls in the match.
 
"It was a typical Southern Conference match," Coach Polson said. "It's going to be a dogfight everywhere you go. Typical college game, physical and fast-paced. Unfortunate that we missed a penalty kick. Keeper made a save on it, and maybe we are up 2-0 so their first goal doesn't matter."
 
Coach Polson said his team battled well and stayed competitive for all 92 minutes, but ultimately there are things to learn from this match.
 
"Collectively we win games and collectively we lose games," he said. "We need to make sure we are taking care of the responsibilities we are given. It's tough to fight that hard and to not get something. But it's the nature of the game and it's something we will deal with. It's going to sting a little but the good thing is we will hopefully get to play Tuesday and can get back on the right track."
 
Booth recorded the victory in net for Mercer, notching six saves in the match. Wichmann took the loss for the Terriers, racking up two saves in the contest.
 
The loss moves Wofford's all-time record against Mercer to 2-5 and marks their first loss in Southern Conference play for the season.
 
The Terriers return home for a home contest Tuesday, when the team takes on VMI at 6 p.m. at Snyder Field. Admission to Snyder Field for all matches is free.