WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Sophomore midfielders
Colton Pleasants and
Gabe Mercer each scored a goal in the second half to lead UNCW to a 2-0 victory over UNCG in the men's soccer season opener for both teams at the UNCW Soccer Stadium on Saturday evening.
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After a scoreless first half, Pleasants gave the Seahawks a 1-0 lead when he knocked in a rebound of his own shot past sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Pulley.
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Mercer upped the advantage to 2-0 with 42 seconds remaining when he scored the first goal of his college career after taking a pass from sophomore forward
Cannon Tootle and slipping a shot inside the near post.
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Led by sophomore goalkeeper
Gabriel Perrotta, the UNCW defense limited the Spartans to just four shots. Perrotta recorded his ninth career shutout after making two saves.
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Pulley tallied three saves in the loss for UNCG.
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Game Notes:
- UNCW earned its third straight victory against UNCG and now leads the all-time series by a 9-6-2 margin.
- The Seahawks played their first game in 447 days ... It was their first contest since a 1-0 setback against James Madison in the CAA Championship Game on Nov. 17, 2019.Â
- The Seahawks improved to 30-22-3 all-time in season openers, including a 14-11-3 mark at home.
- Sophomores Dominic Toone and Parker Norris made the first start of their college careers.
- UNCW has now scored two or more goals in a game 11 times since the start of last season, posting a 10-1-0 mark in those contests.
- The Seahawks have now outscored their opponents by a 15-3 margin over their last 10 games, dating back to last season. Â
- Mercer's goal is the latest netted by the Seahawks in regulation since Danny Reynolds scored with 29 seconds remaining against Northeastern on Sept. 28, 2019.
- UNCW has now scored 13 goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation of games since the start of the 2019 season.
Up Next: The Seahawks continue their season-opening homestand next Saturday, Feb. 13, with a visit from former Colonial Athletic Association rival VCU at 6 p.m.
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