DeLand, Fla. ? Friday night the Stetson women's soccer team (2-5-2, 0-1-0) dropped its first conference game of the season to Mercer University (4-3-2, 1-0-0).

Mercer controlled most of the first half after scoring the first goal at 8:46. Erin Theopold (Tallahassee, Fla.) positioned herself in front of the goal on a corner kick by Meghan Castaldo (Atlanta, Ga.), located the cross and headed it past Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) for her first goal of the season. At 16:50 Kacie Hudson (Marietta, Ga.) created a space for herself in the box and scored the second Mercer goal, her second of the season.

Stetson went into the half down 2-0 on the scoreboard and 9-3 in shots.

“There isn't a team in this conference that we can spot two goals and expect to come back,” said Head Coach Julie Orlowski. “I have to give them credit, they took advantage of their opportunities.”

Stetson picked up the pace offensively and defensively in the second half leading Mercer 5-4 in shots. Unfortunately it was the Bears who were able to score one more time. At 69:22 Hudson scored her second unassisted goal of the game to put the game out of reach.

Although she gave up three goals in the game, Garavaglia was excellent in goal making some tremendous saves.

“We lost 3-0 and our goalkeeper was our best player on the field,” said Orlowski. “She made some great saves out there.”

The Hatters will be back at the Stetson Soccer Complex on Sunday hosting Kennesaw State at 2:00 p.m.