Box score
MACON, Ga. – Mercer scored three goals in the first half Friday night en route to a 3-1 win over visiting Northern Kentucky in an Atlantic Sun Conference women's soccer contest.
Maddie Clark netted a pair of goals and added an assist as Mercer won its Atlantic Sun Conference opener and improved to 6-4-1 overall. Brianna Stampler also scored a goal and had an assist as the Bears found the back of the net twice in the opening 10 minutes to build a 2-0 lead.
Northern Kentucky (4-5-1 overall, 0-1 A-Sun) benefitted from a Mercer own goal at the 23:03 mark to cut the deficit to 2-1. Clark, however, countered with her second marker of the contest to extend the Bears' lead to 3-1 in the 34th minute.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the second half as the defenses toughened. Northern Kentucky owned a 16-14 edge in shots and a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks, but Mercer's quick start offensively was too much to overcome.
Allison Ponzer finished with three shots on goal to pace the Norse offense. Mercer goalie Maggie Cropp picked up the win and finished with seven saves. Mercer is now 2-0 all-time against Northern Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky wraps up the two-game road trip Sunday with a contest at Kennesaw State. The kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Kennesaw, Ga.
