Mercer men’s soccer to face FIU in the first round of the NCAA National Tournament

Mercer has won five SoCon Tournament Titles since 2016.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –The Mercer men’s soccer team waited patiently, staring at the television screen, hoping to find out who they’d face in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer National Tournament; and after 38 teams were announced, Mercer’s name finally flashed across the screen as they are set to take on Florida International.

The Bears had only won a single SoCon game during the regular season but found a way to win three tough battles in the conference tournament to claim their fifth title since 2016, earning an automatic-bid into the National Tournament.

Head Coach Brad Ruzzo has built a culture of winning and is leading Mercer to its fifth NCAA tournament appearance, but winning the conference tournament title this season has a different feel to it.

“Every championship is special in its own way, but this one was really special because we dealt with a lot of injuries, getting some guys back,” said Ruzzo. “But to play the number four seed, who was the defending champion, and then the number one seed at their place. And then turned around and played a number three seed, it was definitely a tough road. They just took every challenge as it came and succeeded, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Bears will look to win their first-ever National Tournament game as they are slated to face FIU on Thursday in the first round in Miami, with the time yet to be determined.