Box Score Macon, Ga. – Mercer scored a pair of goals in the opening 16 minutes and held on to down Furman, 2-0, in the Southern Conference women's soccer regular season finale for both schools Sunday afternoon at Betts Stadium in Macon, Ga.
 
With the loss, Furman concluded the regular season at 12-5-1 overall and 7-1-1 in SoCon play. The Paladins, who saw their seven-match winning streak come to an end, shared the regular season title and will host a quarterfinal round match in the SoCon Women's Soccer Championship at Stone Stadium on Sunday, November 3, at 2 p.m. against the winner of Wednesday's opening round match between Wofford and VMI.
 
Mercer grab the early lead just 1:22 into the match. A free kick sailed wide left of goal, but was headed back into the box by a Furman defender. Ciara Whitely gained possession in the box and fired a shot inside the far-right post to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage.
 
In the 16^th minute, Mercer's Amaya Evans unleashed a low shot from the top of the box that was smothered by Furman goalkeeper Kellsey Weaver, however, Evans stumbled backwards over a Paladin defender and a late whistle was blown awarding the Bears a penalty kick. Zoeller converted from the spot to double the lead at 15:23.
 
Furman dominated much of the possession for the final 30 minutes of the half, but the Paladins were limited to just one shot on goal. The Paladins continued to produce the majority of the chances in the second half as they compiled a 10-2 edge in shots over the final 45 minutes and forced Mercer's Jordyn Ebert into five saves. Furman's best scoring chance came with about 15 minutes left when Isabella Gutierrez rattled a shot off the bottom of the cross bar, but the Bears cleared the danger and held on for the shutout.
 
Ebert totaled six saves to earn the shutout and help Mercer improve to 10-0-0 at home this season. Weaver stopped one shot in goal for the Paladins.
 
Furman managed a 13-6 advantage in total shots and a 6-3 edge in shots on target.
 
Mercer, 15-3-0 overall and 7-2-0, finished the regular season in a tie for third place in the SoCon standings and will also host a quarterfinal round game next weekend.