A penalty kick at the start of the second half was the difference Sunday afternoon as Chattanooga fell 1-0 at Mercer in Southern Conference women's soccer action. UTC moves to 4-7-2 overall and 1-2-1 in league play while the Bears improve to 5-4-2 on the year and 2-1-1 against the SoCon.
 
"Difficult weekend on the road," Chattanooga head coach Gavin McKinney said. "Mercer is a good side and put us under pressure early. After the first 20 minutes we responded well and battled hard."
 
Mercer fired off a multitude of shots at the start of the match but Chattanooga keeper Abbey Saddler was able to answer with eight first half saves. She ended the match with her third double-digit saves game this season and her career with 10. The Mocs held the Bears to just four second half attempts while getting off five shots of their own.
 
A foul in the box to start the second half led to a penalty shot for the Bears at the 45:14 mark of the match. Ally Fordham put her shot into the bottom right corner for the game winner.
 
Ao Yamada got the starting nod Sunday and led the Mocs with three shots on the day, all on goal and Sylvie Keck added in two of her own.
 
Mercer was assessed a pair of yellows in the match while Chattanooga received one.
 
"We need to remain positive and push on," McKinney said.
 
The Mocs close out the regular season home slate this weekend beginning with a Breast Cancer Awareness game against Furman Friday night with a 6:00 p.m. kick off. Sunday, Chattanooga will honor its seniors Maddie Burman and Samantha Shaw prior to its match against Wofford at 1:00 p.m.
 
Admission and parking for both matches is free.
 
 
MATCH NOTES
- Chattanooga fell 1-0 at Mercer Sunday afternoon … the Mocs move to 4-7-2 overall, 1-3-1 in SoCon play … Mercer improves to 5-4-2 overall, 2-1-1 in SoCon.
 
- Ao Yamada had a career-high three shots.
 
- Abbey Saddler recorded her third double-digit saves game of her career … 10 is one shy of her career-best set against UNCG and The Citadel … she has 68 for the season and 112 for her career.