Georgia Southern soccer found another late answer Sunday night.

The Eagles defeated Mercer 2-1 at Bo Pitts Field, improving to 4-1-1 on the season while dropping the Bears to 0-5-2. The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute, when Broden Beorlegui converted a penalty to give Georgia Southern the lead for good.

For Beorlegui, it was his second consecutive game-winning goal, giving the Eagles another difference-maker when the match was hanging in the balance.

Charlie Votel Puts Georgia Southern Ahead

Georgia Southern created the first opportunities of the night, with Beorlegui missing wide in the fifth minute before Mitch Picksley sent an attempt left in the eighth.

The Eagles eventually broke through in the 33rd minute.

Charlie Votel put Georgia Southern in front after taking advantage of a deflected ball off a Mercer defender, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Mercer responded with pressure shortly afterward, earning three corner kicks and producing two shots between the 30th and 32nd minutes. Georgia Southern’s defense held firm, keeping the Bears off the scoreboard.

Mercer goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw then denied Joldy Diaz in the 38th minute, with Diaz adding another attempt before halftime.

Georgia Southern carried its 1-0 advantage into the break.

Mercer Answers After Halftime

The Bears came out with more attacking pressure in the second half.

Eli Bannister hit the woodwork in the 56th minute before Georgia Southern goalkeeper Aristizabal stopped another Bannister attempt four minutes later. Mercer also added two corners during that stretch.

The Eagles continued looking for a second goal of their own.

Beorlegui and Owen Barker created chances, including a Beorlegui attempt that went off the top of the goal in the 67th minute.

But Mercer eventually found its equalizer.

In the 70th minute, Taylor found space between Georgia Southern defenders and curled a shot from just inside the top-left portion of the box to make it 1-1.

Beorlegui nearly restored the Eagles’ lead three minutes later, but his attempt was turned away.

The match appeared headed toward a tense finish.

Beorlegui Delivers Again

Then came the late breakthrough.

After a lengthy review in the 82nd minute, officials determined Beorlegui had been fouled while attempting a shot inside the box.

That gave the Eagles a penalty and Beorlegui an opportunity to put Georgia Southern back in front.

He converted.

Beorlegui sent the penalty into the bottom-right corner, restoring Georgia Southern’s lead and giving the Eagles their second game-winning goal from him in as many matches.

Mercer could not find another equalizer, and Georgia Southern held on for the 2-1 victory.

Georgia Southern Controls the Shot Battle

The final numbers reflected the Eagles’ attacking pressure.

Georgia Southern finished with a 16-7 advantage in shots and an 8-3 edge in shots on goal.

Beorlegui was particularly active, leading the Eagles with seven shots and three shots on goal while also converting the deciding penalty.

Votel made the most of his lone shot, scoring Georgia Southern’s opening goal.

The Eagles also managed to score once in each half while limiting Mercer to one goal despite several stretches of pressure from the Bears.

The victory also continued a notable series trend: Georgia Southern had not defeated Mercer in consecutive meetings since 2005-06.

For head coach Lee Squires, the win marked his 25th career victory as Eagles head coach.

Community Spotlight: Staying Ready When Conditions Change

Georgia Southern’s 2-1 win over Mercer showed the importance of staying organized when a match changes quickly. The Eagles faced increased pressure after halftime, saw Mercer equalize and still found a way to respond late through Beorlegui’s penalty. Across Metro Atlanta, homeowners face their own changing conditions, and preparation can be just as important when it comes to protecting a property.

Atlanta Soccer News is proud to recognize Superior Stormwater Management, a Metro Atlanta community partner focused on helping property owners address drainage, runoff, erosion and other stormwater challenges. Proper water management can help protect properties when heavy rain and changing weather conditions create problems that can quickly become more difficult if left unaddressed.

As Georgia Southern prepares for the start of Sun Belt play, Metro Atlanta homeowners can also take steps to stay ahead of potential property issues. If you’re dealing with drainage, standing water, erosion or stormwater concerns, learn more about Superior Stormwater Management and the solutions they provide.

Sun Belt Play Begins Friday

Georgia Southern now turns its attention to conference play.

The Eagles open Sun Belt Conference play on the road Friday, Sept. 18, against Coastal Carolina at the CCU Soccer Complex.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Eagles enter conference play at 4-1-1, with Beorlegui providing a timely scoring threat and Georgia Southern coming off consecutive victories.

The next challenge will be translating that early-season momentum into the Sun Belt schedule.

ASN TAKE

Georgia Southern is showing an ability to win games in different ways, and Sunday’s victory added another example.

The Eagles controlled the overall shot count, created eight shots on target and took the lead twice. More importantly, when Mercer answered in the second half, Georgia Southern found another response instead of allowing the match to slip away.

Beorlegui’s emergence as the late-game difference-maker is especially notable. His second straight game-winning goal gives Georgia Southern an attacking player capable of changing the result when the margin is tight.

Now the Eagles get their first conference test.

Sun Belt play should provide a clearer picture of how this 4-1-1 start translates against league competition.

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Author: Quique Lopez

Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.