Macon, Ga. – The seventh-ranked Furman Paladins and Mercer Bears shared the points after playing to a 1-1 draw in the Southern Conference men's soccer opener for both schools Saturday night at Betts Stadium.
 
The Bears (2-6-3, 0-0-1 SoCon) got off to a quick start and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 15^th minute. Mercer earned a corner kick and Fernando Arteaga and Will Taylor assisted on Gavin Morgan's first goal of the season at the 14:17 mark.
 
Furman did not register a shot until the 33^rd minute but totaled six shots in the final minutes of the half to hold a 6-5 edge in attempts at the break. The Paladins doubled their attempts with 12 total shots in the second half and leveled the match at the 76:53 mark. Connor Stout played a free kick into the box and fellow freshman Braden Dunham rose above two defenders to head in his third goal of the campaign.
 
Despite a 5-0 edge in shots over the final 15 minutes of the match, Furman was forced to settle for the draw to move to 6-1-4 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.
 
Henry Hampshaw stopped five shots for the Bears while Furman redshirt-freshman Ivan Horvat turned away two shots on the night. The Paladins finished with an 18-9 advantage in total shots and 6-3 margin in attempts on target.
 
Furman returns home to Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium on Tuesday night to host the Presbyterian Blue Hose at 6 p.m.
 
Minuteman Press is the Official Sponsor of Furman Athletics press releases.