Greenville, S.C. – The Furman men's soccer team kicks off its Southern Conference schedule on Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. match versus the Mercer Bears on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium.
 
Admission is free to Saturday's SoCon opener, which will be streamed live on ESPN+. Links to the video stream and live statistics can be accessed on the men's soccer schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.
 
The Paladins, No. 32 in the latest RPI, are 2-1-4 on the season following a 2-2 draw versus Memphis (No. 18 RPI) last Saturday at Stone Stadium. Braden Dunham's second-half goal erased an early 1-0 deficit before the Tigers regained the lead. Senior Diego Hernandez converted from the penalty spot with 10 seconds remaining to help Furman earn a draw on Senior Night.
 
This Saturday's league opener marks the 27^th meeting between Furman and Mercer with the Bears holding a 12-7-7 series lead. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the SoCon opener last season in Macon, Ga., with Dunham netting the second half equalizer. The previous season, Furman followed a 1-1 draw versus the Bears in the regular season with a 2-0 triumph in the opening round of the 2024 SoCon Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.
 
Mercer enters Saturday's match at 0-5-2 after dropping a 2-1 decision at Georgia Southern on Sunday in Statesboro, Ga.
 
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