CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Oct. 31, 2025) - Not every season can end in glory, even the ones that deserve it. Especially the ones that deserve it. 

The ETSU women's soccer team lost 2-1 to the Mercer Bears on Friday afternoon at the Catamount Sports Complex in Cullowhee, North Carolina, ending their season in the quarterfinals of the 2025 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship. 

The Bears (9-6-3) put constant pressure on the Buccaneers (9-4-6) and broke through in the 22nd minute when Maggie Rollins lifted a direct free kick from 25 yards out over the top of a five-player wall into the open top-left corner to get the Bears in front. 

ETSU answered in the 65th. Grace Eatz fed the ball through the back line to Jada Cooper on a streaking run. Cooper took the ball to the left side of the box and floated it into traffic on the other side of the goal. A clearance attempt landed right at the feet of Eatz, who uncorked a right-footed missile that bolted past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Avery Parker and inside the left post for Eatz's third goal in two games and the 13th of her career. 

Mercer had one more set piece trick up its sleeve in the 83rd minute. Morganne Eikelbarner whipped a corner kick in from the goalkeeper's right, and Maria Karipidis rose above all challengers for a header on goal that hit Addison Yelton's gloves and skidded past the goalkeeper's right shoulder for the go-ahead and ultimately game-winning goal.  

ETSU ends its 2025 season 9-4-6 and third in the SoCon regular season after being picked seventh in the preseason poll. Their run included a school record 12 game unbeaten streak from August 28 to October 19. Ten of ETSU's 11 starters in Friday's game have one or more years of eligibility remaining, and ETSU is scheduled to return six players that earned all-conference honors this season for their 2026 campaign. 

For more information on ETSU women's soccer, go to ETSUBucs.com.