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The seventh-ranked Furman Paladins and Mercer Bears shared the points after playing to a 1-1 draw in the Southern Conference men’s soccer opener for both schools Saturday night at Betts Stadium.
FINAL pic.twitter.com/hxnaIZvpkU
— Furman Men's Soccer (@FurmanSoccer) October 5, 2025
The Bears (2-6-3, 0-0-1 SoCon) got off to a quick start and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. Mercer earned a corner kick, and Fernando Arteaga and Will Taylor assisted on Gavin Morgan’s first goal of the season at the 14:17 mark.
Halftime in Macon pic.twitter.com/CQsIXDU9MK
— Furman Men's Soccer (@FurmanSoccer) October 5, 2025
Furman did not register a shot until the 33rd minute but totaled six shots in the final minutes of the half to hold a 6-5 edge in attempts at the break. The Paladins doubled their attempts with 12 total shots in the second half and leveled the match at the 76:53 mark. Connor Stout played a free kick into the box and fellow freshman Braden Dunham rose above two defenders to head in his third goal of the campaign.
𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟗𝟎#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/OQ1oYG2PQv
— Mercer Men's Soccer (@Mercer_MSoccer) October 5, 2025
Despite a 5-0 edge in shots over the final 15 minutes of the match, Furman was forced to settle for the draw to move to 6-1-4 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play. Henry Hampshaw stopped five shots for the Bears while Furman redshirt-freshman Ivan Horvat turned away two shots on the night. The Paladins finished with an 18-9 advantage in total shots and 6-3 margin in attempts on target.
GOALLLLL!
Gavin Morgan finds the back of the net for the first time in a Mercer uniform.
Great passing by Will Taylor and Fernando Arteaga off the corner to set up Morgan in front of the net
15'
🐻: 1
🛡️: 0#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/Lh93ObBNcz— Mercer Men's Soccer (@Mercer_MSoccer) October 4, 2025
Furman returns home to Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium on Tuesday night to host the Presbyterian Blue Hose at 6 p.m.
Credit: furmpaladins.com Jordan Caskey
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