:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62740793/20180228_1200.0.jpg)
The Mercer Bears are the 63rd team in our 2019 schedule preview series and the seventh team from the SoCon. The Bears finished 4-10 in 2018 and 2-5 in SoCon play. Mercer failed to reach the SoCon Tournament.
Here’s their entire 2019 schedule:
Mercer’s 2019 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes |
| 2/2 | Mercer | North Carolina | At Centennial High School (In Atlanta, GA) |
| 2/9 | Mercer | Utah | First ever meeting |
| 2/16 | Canisius | Mercer | |
| 3/2 | Cleveland State | Mercer | |
| 3/6 | Mercer | Delaware | |
| 3/8 | Mercer | Mount St. Mary's | |
| 3/16 | Air Force | Mercer | SoCon |
| 3/23 | Mercer | VMI | SoCon |
| 3/30 | Bellarmine | Mercer | SoCon |
| 4/6 | Mercer | Furman | SoCon |
| 4/13 | High Point | Mercer | SoCon |
| 4/20 | Mercer | Richmond | SoCon |
| 4/27 | Jacksonville | Mercer | SoCon |
Who’s In?
- Utah Utes (2/9)
- Canisius Golden Griffins (2/16)
Who’s Out?
- Vermont Catamounts (11-3 L)
- Lehigh Mountain Hawks (13-8 L)
- Detroit Mercy Titans (8-7 L/OT)
Average Winning Percentage From 2018 Teams
- Overall: .394
- Nonconference: .408
- SoCon: .384
Circle These Dates
- 2/16 (vs. Canisius): It has to be nice to play in slightly warmer weather than most schools. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams and it’s better to host than going up to western New York for Mercer. Canisius won the MAAC title as the No. 4 seed last season in Mark Miyashita’s first year as head coach.
- 3/2 (vs. Cleveland State): The Bears got out to an 8-4 lead at halftime last year against the Vikings. But Cleveland State scored five of the six second half goals, including the game-tying tally by Tristen Copeland with 12 seconds left in regulation, to force overtime. But Mercer got the last laugh with Michael Quinn’s first of the season.
- 3/6 (at Delaware): One of the more surprising wins for the Bears last season. Against a Delaware team that was in the midst of a five-game losing streak, Mercer took a 9-5 lead with 8:55 left in the game before the Blue Hens made an effort for a comeback with three consecutive goal. But Matt Quinn ended that run with a goal with 1:27 left in the game.
- 3/16 (vs. Air Force): The first half was a downright snoozer. The Falcons led 1-0 thanks to Trey Lervick’s goal with seven seconds left in the half. But then the goals came on both sides and eventually led to Mercer going on a 5-0 run in the fourth quarter to eventually get a two-goal win over the two-time SoCon champs.
- 4/6 (at Furman): Had Mercer got one more conference win, the Bears probably would have been in the SoCon Tournament. And if they defeated Furman, Mercer definitely would have been in the conference tournament. The Bears took a 6-4 lead into the fourth quarter before the Paladins scored three straight en route to a one-goal victory. Kiel Brennan won all but two of his faceoff draws in the loss.
For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.