Mercer men’s lacrosse has officially kicked off their 2020 season, and it’s already looking to be one for the books.
Two sophomores, attack Sean Goldsmith and faceoff specialist Ashton Wood, were voted to the Preseason All-SoCon Team this year. Goldsmith was tied for the team’s point leader with senior midfielder Michael Quinn last season.
Their season began Feb. 1 with an electric home match against the Florida Tech Panthers at Five Star Stadium, which the Bears won 18-6.
Goldsmith scored six goals, tying the Mercer record for most goals in a game. Four freshmen, midfielder Cole Leggett, midfielder Parker Junod, midfielder Collin Stewart and attack Zach Green, recorded their first career goals for the Bears.
The freshman goalkeeper Colin Kelley recorded seven saves on 18 shots faced for a .636 save percentage. Quinn scored three goals for a hattrick and Wood took 26 faceoffs and won 20.
This is the first time since 2014 that Mercer men’s lacrosse won its first contest of the season. That year was also the last time the team finished with a winning record. This year the team has met their record of last season when they finished with a 1-12 record.
“In my final season I am looking forward to competing with my boys and having one last opportunity to fight for a SoCon championship,” team captain Quinn said.
Mercer Lacrosse is entering its 10th year as a Division I sports team, and Quinn says they are more than ready for the season.
“With Coach Hannan leading the program, we are experienced and understand the game at the Division I level,” Quinn said.
One of Quinn’s favorite experiences over the past four years is when the team defeated High Point at home his freshman year, and he is looking forward to their match this season.
“We had a nail-biter last year, and I am looking forward to another this 2020 season,” Quinn said.
The Bears traveled to Chapel Hill to play the North Carolina Tar Heels on Feb. 8, losing 6-14. Of Mercer’s six goals, Goldsmith scored a hattrick. These teams had played together three times before, with North Carolina taking all three contests.
Even with the loss, Mercer still leads the SoCon in shots per game with an average of 18, according to Mercer Athletics.
Some of the other teams the Bears are set to face off against include Richmond, Air Force and Monmouth. The team’s next home match is against Hampton on Feb. 22.
Samantha Homcy ‘23 is a junior at Mercer majoring in journalism and criminal justice. She has been working at The Cluster since her freshman year and served as Social Media Co-Manager during the spring 2021 semester. She is currently a practicum intern with WMAZ-TV. In her free time she enjoys music, community service, watching TV and finding new ways to get involved on Mercer’s campus.
