Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior Mikala Ferguson scored in the 49^th minute to lift the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team over defending Southern Conference champion Mercer, 1-0, on Thursday afternoon in an exhibition game at EKU Soccer Field.
 
Ferguson, a veteran midfielder who appeared in all 19 games last season, scored from close range off a rebounded shot by freshman Bailly Bounds.
 
It was all the EKU defense needed, as the Colonels clamped down to earn the clean sheet over a Mercer team that went 14-6-2 last season and won the SoCon Tournament.
 
Senior Samm Melton and junior Shawn Zellers combined for the shutout in goal. Melton earned the start, but Zellers played a majority of the minutes and made three saves.
 
Twenty-five of the 27 Colonels on the roster saw the field in Thursday's exhibition, which was played in three 30-minute periods. Ferguson, Bounds, sophomore Logan Harvey and freshman Monica Rios all attempted a team-best two shots in the win. Both of Rios' shots were on goal.
 
Maddie Clark paced Mercer with four shots in the game.
 
Mercer attempted more shots (13-8) and corner kicks (8-4) than EKU, but Ferguson's opportunistic strike proved to be the difference.
 
EKU will now travel to Wright State for an exhibition on Sunday at 7:00 p.m., before opening the regular season on Friday, August 21, at Western Carolina.