MACON, Ga. – The Samford University soccer team fell behind early, but two first-half goals lifted the Bulldogs to a 2-1 win at Mercer Thursday evening at Betts Stadium.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 9-3-4 overall and 5-1-1 in Southern Conference play. Mercer fell to 8-4-5 overall and 3-3-1 in league play.
 
Mercer got the scoring started in the sixth minute of the game when Sara Engels scored off assists from Jada Moorman and Chandler Lewis-Jenkins for a 1-0 Bears lead. Samford knotted the score at 1-1 when Whitaker Buchanan scored off an assist from Layla Brown in the 14^th minute of the contest. The Bulldogs took the lead for good when Kaitlin Maynard netted a goal in the 24^th minute for a 2-1 Samford lead. Neither team could score in the second half as the game ended in a 2-1 Samford win.
 
As a team, Samford outshot Mercer, 15-11. Mercer had five corner kicks to four for Samford. Individually, Buchanan led Samford with four shots, while Maynard had three shots. Samford goalkeeper Zoe Clevely saved three shots, allowing just one goal. Mercer was led by Larkin Thomason with four shots. Mercer goalkeeper Lindsay Bell saved five shots, allowing two goals in the loss.
 
Samford will play host to the ETSU Bucs Sunday at 1 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field. Admission to the game is FREE.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
MER: Sara Engels, 6^th minute, assists by Jada Moorman and Chandler Lewis-Jenkins
SAM: Whitaker Buchanan, 14^th minute, assist by Layla Brown
SAM: Kaitlin Maynard, 24^th minute  
 
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