GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team (3-1-4, 1-0-0 SoCon) is back on the road this weekend to take on the Mercer Bears (0-6-2, 0-1-0 SoCon) in Macon, Georgia, on Saturday. Kickoff from Betts Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN+. 
 
Head Coach Chris Rich's squad heads south following a 2-0-0 week that featured a 5-0 win over South Florida and a winning start to Southern Conference (SoCon) play thanks to a 2-1 victory over Liberty. The Spartans are aiming to add another conference win against the Bears, who are still seeking a first overall win in 2026 following some hard-luck results. 
 

Game 9: UNC Greensboro (3-1-4, 1-0-0 SoCon) vs. Mercer (0-6-2, 0-1-0 SoCon)
Date & Time	Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Location	Macon, Georgia | Betts Stadium
Coverage	Live Stats: Live Stats Broadcast: ESPN+
Social Media	Follow the UNC Greensboro men's soccer team on Instagram (@uncgsoccer), Twitter (@UNCGsoccer), and Facebook (UNCGMensSoccer) to keep track of all the action and updates!

 
SERIES HISTORY VS. MERCER
Saturday marks the 27^th all-time meeting between the Spartans and Bears, UNCG holding a 15-7-4 lead between the two sides. The Blue & Gold knocked Mercer off twice last season, first claiming a 3-0 win at home on Nov. 1 before eliminating the Bears from the SoCon Tournament eight days later in Georgia, 2-0.
 
Former Spartan Arnaud Tattevin scored three of UNCG's five goals in the wins, while Steven Hernandez and another former Spartan, Teva Lossec, also found the back of the net. 
 
SCOUTING THE BEARS
It's been a difficult 2026 for longtime Head Coach Brad Ruzzo, whose squad finds itself 0-6-2 entering Saturday's game after most recently falling 1-0 to Furman. The No. 2 seed in the SoCon Tournament last season, the Bears have either drawn or lost by a goal in the past seven games since opening the season with a 3-0 defeat to Florida Atlantic. 
 
Mercer's offense is trying to find its footing, having been shutout five times in 2026 and only being able to score once in the other three games. Will Taylor leads the side with a goal and assist, while Eli Bannister and Christopher Nezianya have also found the back of the net. Between the sticks, goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw has recorded 37 saves and was named the Conference Defensive Player of the Week back on Sept. 8. 
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNCG
The Spartans opened SoCon play with a 2-1 win over Liberty, the Flames' first conference game as a new member. Entering the half in Greensboro trailing 1-0, the Blue and Gold got goals from French freshmen Malo Jungling and Mathis Robinand to turn the game around in the second 45 minutes.
 
COMPLETE EFFORT, MILESTONES FUEL UNCG IN A 2-0-0 STRETCH
UNCG's return to the win column was fueled by an impressive combination of established scorers from this season staying hot and a series of firsts for the Spartans, both seasonal and collegiate. Robinand's winner against the Flames joined him with Jungling, Mason Dancy, and Bautista Schmidt as scorers of their first collegiate goals this season.
 
In a 7-1 aggregate-score week, UNCG also got first assists of the season from Keaviano Francis, Caleb Borneo, and Gavin DeHart, while Lasse Dahl netted his first tally in the Blue & Gold. DeHart's assist, coming on Dancy's goal against South Florida, was his first collegiate point. 
 
Francis and Borneo both recorded three-point stat lines in UNCG's 5-0 rout of USF, the pair continuing to lead the Spartans offensively. In games that at least one of two has scored a goal, the Blue & Gold are 2-0-3. 
 
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK WATCH
Jungling became UNCG's fifth SoCon Player of the Week on Sept. 22, taking home Offensive honors after scoring in both of his first appearances with the Spartans. He joins Francis (Sept. 1) and Borneo (Sept. 8) as winners on the Offensive front along with Trym Linberg (Aug. 25) and Seth Wilson (Sept. 15) as Defensive winners. The Spartans continue to lead the SoCon in Players of the Week (five), and have seen a player named to either category in all five of the award periods in 2026. Furman (two) has the second most. 
 
SPARTANS IN THE RANKINGS
UNCG has climbed up to 29^th in Division I in goal difference (+8) heading into Saturday's tilt, which leads the SoCon. The Spartans also sit 32^nd in team goals allowed average (0.875, also first in the SoCon). Goalkeeper Seth Wilson stands 44^th nationally and first conference-wide in save percentage, at 0.781. 
 
UNCG VS OPPONENTS – BY THE NUMBERS

• Goals: 15-7 (1.88 - .88 per game)
• Shots: 98-82 (12.3 – 10.3 per game)
• Shots on Goal: 46/98 – 32/82 (0.469 - 0.390)
• Assists: 14-3
• Saves: 25-31
• Corners: 35-36 

INCOMING PRODUCTION CONTINUING TO POWER UNCG
After Tuesday's win, transfers and freshmen for this season have now contributed 31/44 points on the year for the Spartans. Eight games into the season, the Blue & Gold have had 13 players record at least a point; Robinand is the latest following his goal against Liberty. 
 
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UP NEXT     
The Spartans are back home to host Furman on Oct. 3, the Paladins marking the start of a major three-game homestand that also features NC State (Oct. 7) and Marshall (Oct. 13). Kickoff against Furman at UNCG Soccer Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+. Upcoming promotions include the match against Furman marking our 2026 Homecoming Weekend and featuring a food truck in attendance!