Furman Vs. Mercer Condensed Game Video

Macon, Ga. – Kenny Meinsen recorded his team-high third hat trick of the season, but it wasn't enough as a Mercer goal with 53 seconds remaining in regulation propelled the Bears to a 9-8 win over the Paladins on Saturday night. With the win, Mercer clinched a share of the Atlantic Sun regular-season title and moved to 7-5 on the season (4-1 A-Sun). Furman fell to 1-11 in its inaugural season, and 1-3 in Atlantic Sun play.

Meinsen led the Paladins with three goals, while Danny Dorsett added two. Graham Dabbs and Zach Coker each tallied one goal, while Matt Geran added one goal and one assist. Jake Gavin recorded 14 saves and Ralph D'Agostino led the defense with three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Furman jumped out to an early lead just 1:36 into the game on an unassisted goal by Danny Dorsett. Mercer responded a minute later, but Graham Dabbs scored his 18th goal of the season with 4:28 remaining in the first quarter to give the Paladins a 2-1 lead. Mercer would score less than a minute later to send the game into the second quarter tied at two.

Mercer struck first in the second quarter, taking a 3-2 lead before Matt Geran scored his ninth goal of the year on an assist from Clay Adams to tie the game at three. Mercer would score with 3:51 remaining in the half to put the bears up 4-3 heading into halftime.

Kenny Meinsen scored an unassisted goal to open the third quarter and tie the game at four, before Danny Dorsett netted his second goal of the game to give the Paladins a 5-4 advantage. Mercer would tie the game at 5 with 7:06 remaining, before Zach Coker scored his seventh goal of the year in a man-up situation to give Furman a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Mercer scored two-consecutive goals to open the final period to retake the lead at 7-6, before Meinsen got his second of the day to tie the game at 7 and his third goal to reclaim the lead for the Paladins at 8-7. Mercer scored with 4:42 remaining to tie the game at 8 and eventually netted the game-winning goal with just 53 seconds remaining to defeat the Paladins, 9-8.

Furman wraps up regular season and Atlantic Sun play next Saturday as the Paladins host Jacksonville in the season finale at 12:00 p.m.