MACON, Ga. – Trending towards a possible 0-0 tie in the second straight match with rotten weather to overcome, the Presbyterian College women's soccer team was instead dealt a 1-0 loss to Mercer on Sunday afternoon. An 81^st-minute goal from the home side was the difference-maker.

Defense has been the theme of the past two bouts for the Blue Hose against challenging opponents, holding both the Bears and Western Carolina to just one goal each over the past four days.

However, in both of those cases, that one goal was enough to determine the result. Mercer's third shot-on-goal was the match-ending kick, submitted with nine minutes and 47 seconds left.

Presbyterian's non-conference path has now been finished, with eight Big South meetings now in front of them. They'll receive a 10-day break before returning to the pitch on September 25, hosting USC Upstate from Martin Stadium.

 
FINAL SCORE: Mercer, 1 – Presbyterian, 0
RECORDS: Presbyterian (5-3-1) – Mercer (6-2-1)
LOCATION: Betts Stadium (Macon, Ga.)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
- Shots were nearly even after the first 45 minutes of action (8-6 in favor of the Bears), while goalkeeping combatants Kelly Hall and Lindsay Bell ensured that neither squad would produce the tiebreaker just yet.

- In fact, a scoreless draw seemed inevitable due to how stingy both defenses performed on Sunday, although the match took a late turn when Larkin Thomason scored her ninth goal of 2024 in the eleventh hour.

- The game-winner was a low-angled shot near the left corner that pinballed around for a double-assist, giving Mercer their sixth win of the year.

- Cassidy Oldham, Lyla Chadd, and Madison Hindman stayed on the field from the first horn to the last (as did Hall in the keeper's position), with head coach Matt Smith utilizing 17 players.
 

UP NEXT
 
- It's been an entertaining rivalry between the Blue Hose and USC Upstate since they became league mates in 2018, known as annual opponents as far back as 13 years ago.

- The all-time series record is in favor of Presby (7-6), although the Spartans have won the past three meetings and pitched a shutout in each of them.

- Speaking of shutouts, that's what USC Upstate accomplished in their most recent appearance versus Wofford on Saturday, going to a nil-nil tie with the Terriers. They'll battle South Dakota State this Thursday before PC pops up as the next foe in line.

- Presbyterian has high hopes of a Big South Tournament rebirth thanks to their five-win resume, splitting the location of their eight conference matches right down the middle (four home, four visiting).

- PC will emerge from its rest on the 25^th at 7:00 PM, with ESPN+ covering the event.