GREENVILLE, S.C. – Senior Jordie Hughes (Vancouver, B.C./Spectrum) scored two second half goals including the game-winner to lead Coastal Carolina men's soccer team (2-2) to the victory over Mercer (1-3), 5-3, on the final day of the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational on Sunday, September 11.

Coastal got on the board early (4:09) as sophomore Dominic Rossi (Kellyville, Australia/Oak Hill College (Macquarie)) took the feed from freshman Djamel Bekka (Tulsa, Okla./Union) and scored from 15 yards out from the top of the box. For Rossi it was his second goal of the season.

CCU struck again (7:09) as senior Joseph Kabwe (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe/Sakubva (Lindsey Wilson)) score unassisted on his shot from 13 yards out to the lower-right corner of the box. For Kabwe it was his second goal and the second goal of the game for Coastal.

The Bears would get on the board (36:15) off a penalty kick from the foot of senior forward Del Olaoye to cut the deficit in half going into the intermission.

After the break Mercer came out firing as sophomore Vicente Arze scored off the corner kick to tie the game at two all (64:12).

Mercer took the lead only :13 second later (64:25) as junior midfielder Luis Hernandez took the long ball from Olaoye and beat the CCU goalkeeper Ryan Nowak (Katy, Texas/Katy (UNC Greensboro) to the left to give Mercer a one goal advantage.

The Chanticleers came roaring back as Hughes tied the game up with a goal inside the left post on a through ball from Rossi (68:15).

Hughes untied the game (78:10) and CCU took the lead for good on an 8 yard shot through traffic fromthe top of the box as he controlled a pass from freshman Brad Stisser (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) off a free kick and beat the Mercer keeper David Bird. For Hughes it was his second goal of the game and the season.

Coastal would add an insurance goal as Mercer scored an own goal (82:04) as the goalkeeper failed in his attempt to clear the ball to make the final score 5-3.

Nowak picked up his second win of the season in the CCU victory. For the game CCU outshot Mercer 16-10 inlcuding an 11-5 advantage on shots on goal. The game featured three yellow cards with two on Coastal and one on Mercer. Hughes led both team with five shots followed by Rossi's four. 

The Chants improve their all-time record against Mercer to an impressive 7-0. After the completion of the tournament three CCU players were named to the all-tournament squad the list included forward Hughes, midfielder Kabwe and defender Kevin Van Den Berg (Wyoming, Mich./Grandville).

Coastal Carolina men's soccer team continues its road travels as it goes to Cambridge, Mass. to participate in the Harvard/Nike Invitational and take on the host school Harvard University on Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m and New Hampshire on Sunday, September 18 at 11 a.m.