Paladins Win Battle Over Mercer Bears in Men’s Soccer 1-0

Jay Jacobs Published: September 19, 2026 | Updated: September 19, 2026 3 minutes read

Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

Greenville, S.C. – The Furman men’s soccer team kicks off its Southern Conference schedule on Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. match versus the Mercer Bears on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium. The Paladins, No. 32 in the latest RPI, are 2-1-4 on the season following a 2-2 draw versus Memphis (No. 18 RPI) last Saturday at Stone Stadium. Braden Dunham’s second-half goal erased an early 1-0 deficit before the Tigers regained the lead. Senior Diego Hernandez converted from the penalty spot with 10 seconds remaining to help Furman earn a draw on Senior Night.

Tomorrow at 2pm before the @PaladinFootball game be at Stone Stadium at 2pm and cheer on your 2026 @FurmanSoccer team as they play host to @Mercer_MSoccer ! Then head over to Football at 7pm! Its a Furman Sell Out Weekend! Support the Paladins Soccer ⚽️ and Football 🏈! pic.twitter.com/ge3oacnXyp

— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) September 18, 2026

Saturday’s league opener marks the 27th meeting between Furman and Mercer with the Bears holding a 12-7-7 series lead. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the SoCon opener last season in Macon, Ga., with Dunham netting the second half equalizer. The previous season, Furman followed a 1-1 draw versus the Bears in the regular season with a 2-0 triumph in the opening round of the 2024 SoCon Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

@Mercer_MSoccer 0@FurmanSoccer 0
15 minute mark 1st Period @GSM_FurmanJoust @soconpulse @GSM_SoCon @GSM_Sports13 pic.twitter.com/lYV7adJMOi

— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) September 19, 2026

Mercer enters Saturday’s match at 0-5-2 after dropping a 2-1 decision at Georgia Southern on Sunday in Statesboro, Ga.

Both teams start out strong and Furman quickly gets some great shots on goal and by the 15-minute mark they 2 shots, 3 corner kicks and with Mercer getting 1 save. The first water break has the game still at 0-0 at 23:37 played in the period. Paladins now have 6 shots on goal with Mercer only at 3.

The Paladins with 41:43 get a huge goal with a penalty kick when #9 Wilfer Bustamante gets it in and its 1-0 Paladins right before the half. The Paladins hold on to the 1-0 lead, and the halftime stats are Furman with 10 shots on goal, 6 corner kicks and two saves. The Mercer Bears 3 shots on goal. 1 corner kick, and 1 save, while giving up 1 goal to #9 Wilfer Bustamante on a penalty kick at 41:43 in the period.

The @FurmanSoccer is in the lead after a late score over the @Mercer_MSoccer 1-0! @GSM_FurmanJoust @soconpulse @GSM_SoCon @GSM_Sports13 pic.twitter.com/XlPjwUYg7w

— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) September 19, 2026

Furman is able to hold on to the victory by shutting out Mercer in a lightening delayed game 1-0. Even with the delays the team had a great fan turn out that stuck around after the delay to root them on.