When Mercer plays Jacksonville this weekend it will be some great preseason Atlantic Sun Conference action. Mercer is coming off a 7-7 2014 season while Jacksonville is coming off a 4-10 and had some tough one goal game losses. This will also show two programs from the south looking to take the step at making the NCAA tournament.
Jacksonville does have some very strong players on the offensive end to watch out for this weekend. The Moore brothers from West Islip New York. are tow of the best. Older brother Rob had 27 points last year after having to sit out all of 2013 for transferring back to Jacksonville after spending his sophomore year at Hofstra. Tom Moore came in to Jacksonville in 2014 after his freshman year was spent playing at Denver. Tom started all year at Attack leading the team in goals and scoring 39 points to lead the team. He also made All Tournament team. Chase Mclntrye scored 10 points in 9 games started at attack he is also coming off a summer where his team came in second at the Minto Cup. The last player on offense had a drop off last year Ari Waffle. Ari was one of the main scorers his first two years on the team but only had 13 points last year. Ari is Native American from Syracuse New York where he was a empire team member. I look for him to bounce back this season. One defense Nassau Community college transfer Pat Ryan was very good in the Juco ranks look for him to have a impact vs. Mercer.
Mercer is coming off their past season at 7-7 and return their leading scorer in Maryland native Chris Baxa 40 points in 2014. Hometown player Timmy Geran had 24 while second year man out of Norwalk Connecticut James Taukus had 17 in 2014. Also in net look for Georgia product Mike Nugent to be the starter in net. Mike made 162 saves last year for 0.559%. Mercer is looking to make a name for themselves in 2015.
This match up looks to be a great preview to the spring season when both teams face off when it counts. Also a good out of season conference battle you know both teams want to win big time.
