GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team battled back from a second half deficit to tie the game against Southern Conference newcomer Mercer Tuesday night, but a late penalty kick goal by the Bears with the Spartans playing a man down led Mercer to a 3-2 victory over the Spartans at Bear Field. The loss drops UNCG to 1-1-1 in SoCon play while Mercer remains unbeaten at 3-0-0 in league action.

The Spartans struck first in the 10^th minute of play as senior Austin Miller (High Point, N.C./High Point Central) sent a through ball in that sprung junior Jacques Francois (Port Au Prince, Haiti/Louisburg College). Mercer goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh saved Francois' initial shot, but he followed up the rebound and sent it across the mouth of the goal off a Mercer defender.

Freshman Tommi Gardarsson (Reykjavik, Iceland/Commercial College of Iceland) beat his defender to the loose ball and struck it with a diving header into the empty net for the early 1-0 lead. The goal was Gardarsson's third of the year and his second in as many games.

Mercer answered right back on 1:52 later to tie the game. Will Bagrou gained possession on the right-hand side and was able to beat the UNCG defender to the end line. Bagrou turned the corner and drove towards goal. His shot snuck short side past freshman goalkeeper William Pyle (Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell) to tie the game at 1-1.

The Spartans looked ready to retake the lead in the 24^th minute of action. Miller pounced on a loose ball just outside the 18-yard box and ripped a shot that beat Ranjitsingh but struck the cross bar. The rebound fell out in front and Gardarsson had a chance to put it on goal, but his shot sailed over the cross bar.

Mercer struck late in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room in the 42^nd minute. The Bears' David Murtaugh drove down the left-hand side and turned the corner on a UNCG defender. Pyle saved his initial shot but it popped loose in front and Bagrou was able to get enough on it to roll it over the line for his second goal of the game.

The Spartans again had a prime chance early in the second half. Redshirt sophomore forward Christopher Reingen (Dusseldorf, Germany/Univ. of Dusseldorf) uncorked a rocket from 25-yards out that Ranjitsingh was able to get enough of a hand on to push it off the cross bard, keeping Mercer in front.

The Mercer lead would be short-lived though as the Spartans tied the game at 2-2 in the 59^th minute. Francois made a run into the box and was hauled down by a Bear defender, giving UNCG a penalty kick attempt. Miller stepped forward and calmly buried his shot into the bottom right corner, tying the game at 2-2.

The Spartans were unfortunate in the 67^th minute as sophomore defender Quin Lema (Pembroke, Bermuda/American Heritage) was given a red card, forcing UNCG to play a man down. The Spartans weathered the early storm playing 11-v-10, but another unlucky break in the 85^th minute resulted into the game-winning tally for Mercer. The Spartans were called for a handball inside the box and Max Poore stepped up and converted from the spot for the 3-2 victory.

The Spartans return to action Saturday night as they come home to host East Tennessee State in SoCon action. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium and admission is FREE!

-UNCG-