NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Playing in their fifth overtime match of the season and third in the last four contests, the Lipscomb women’s soccer team played to a 0-0 draw with Mercer on Friday night at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex. 

“I am super proud of the team tonight,” Lipscomb head coach Kevin O’Brien said. “We got another strong point in the A-Sun for us. Mercer is one of the top teams in the conference. I am just really proud of the way the girls dug in and defended collectively.

“Even though we didn’t have a ton of goal scoring opportunities, they did come. The message to the team was if you defend like that every game, you really give yourself a chance to win games.”

The Lady Bisons (2-7-4, 0-3-2 ASUN) withstood a Mercer (8-3-3, 2-0-2 ASUN) attack of 23 shots, landing eight on goal. Senior goalkeeper Erin Zerio made eight saves for the Lady Bisons earning her ninth career shutout and fourth of the season. 

“Erin has been fantastic in the net for us,” O’Brien said. “She doesn’t make a ton of blunders which a lot of goalkeepers can. She has been real solid all season. With her back there, she gives us a chance to win every contest. “

With 318 saves in her career, Zerio now sits four stops shy of breaking the top 10 for all-time saves in the Atlantic Sun. 

The Lady Bisons lone shot on goal came from freshman Emily Shuler in the 63rd minute. Fellow freshman Caroline Chadwell had a shot that missed just above the cross bar from 25 yards out. 

Patricia-Ann Upson led the Bear attack with seven shots while Kristen Hagaman attempted three. 

The Lady Bisons return to the Lipscomb Soccer Complex on Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting Kennesaw State. The game can be seen for free on ASun.TV.