ETSU women’s soccer faced Mercer in the Southern Conference Quarterfinal on Oct. 27. After losing to Mercer earlier this month, ETSU was looking to continue their recent success against conference opponents. They did just that. ETSU took the win over a well-rounded Mercer team with a final score of 1-0.

ETSU played with a purpose, which was evident from the start of the match. Sinoxolo Cesane (Cape Town, South Africa) recorded the first shot in the opening 15 seconds, but it was off target. In just the seventh minute of play, Cesane delivered for the Blue and Gold. After a Mercer turnover, Grace Eatz (Roswell, Ga.) had control of the ball and found Cesane, who fired a strong kick to score the one and only goal of the match. This was Cesane’s seventh goal of the season, and she currently leads all Buccaneers in goals.

Mercer’s goalkeeper Lindsay Bell was tested as ETSU applied pressure throughout the first half of play. Bell had a total of four saves on the night for Mercer. ETSU’s goalkeeper was challenged just the same. Ashton Blair (Knoxville, Tenn.) defended three goals in the first half alone.

Sinoxolo Cesane advances the ball on the field (Dora Mercado/East Tennessean).

After both teams had five shots in the first half, ETSU came ready to attack in the second half. ETSU made 12 shots in the second half but unfortunately could not connect on any of them.

Mercer had a shot on goal in the 65th minute of play, but Blair came up with a clutch save. Mercer had one last chance to score in the last few seconds of the match. A corner kick with 30 seconds left was Mercer’s last chance. Blair showed why she was the SoCon’s Defensive Player of the Year and was able to come away with the ball to secure the victory and advance to the Southern Conference Semifinal.

ETSU’s run came to an end with a 2-0 loss to Samford Sunday, Oct. 29.