The Mercer Bears women's lacrosse team represents Mercer University. The Bears are led by head coach Samantha Eustace.[2] Mercer competes in the Big South Conference.[3]
| Mercer Bears women's lacrosse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2015; 11 years ago |
| University | Mercer University |
| Head coach | Samantha Eustace |
| Conference | Big South Conference |
| Nickname | Bears |
| Colors | Black and orange[1] |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | |
| Conference Tournament championships | |
| 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | |
| Conference regular season championships | |
| 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | |
History
editThe Bears played their first season in 2015, finishing with a 5-9 record under head coach Eve Levinson. They began competing as members of the ASUN conference.[4]
On July 31, 2015, Levinson resigned as Mercer women's lacrosse head coach.[5] In August 2015, Mercer named Samantha Eustace as the next head coach of its women's lacrosse program.[6]
In the 2018 season, the Bears became members of the SoCon for women’s lacrosse.[7][4]
In May 2018, Mercer won the program's first-ever SoCon championship and made the program's first NCAA tournament appearance. Despite a 9-11 overall record, the Bears defeated Furman in the title game.[8] In the 2018 NCAA Division I women's lacrosse tournament, Mercer lost to Wagner 13-9 in Staten Island, New York.[9][10]
Despite a 10-10 record in the 2019 season, the Bears again won both games in the SoCon tournament, beating Furman 15-14 (2OT) to win the SoCon title. In the 2019 NCAA Division I women's lacrosse tournament, Mercer lost to Jacksonville 22-7 in the opening round.[11]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bears 2020 season was cut short, ending in March 2020 with a 5-2 record at the time the season was cancelled.[12]
The 2021 season was the third consecutive SoCon tournament title for the Bears and the last season in the conference. Finishing with a 7-8 overall record, Mercer narrowly defeated Furman 14-13 to win the conference title. In the NCAA tournament, they lost to Florida 23-5 in the first round.[13]
In the 2022 season, Mercer joined the Big South Conference for women's lacrosse.[4] The move was announced on June 7, 2021.[14]
In 2022, the Bears broke program records at the time by winning the most games in program history (14) and winning a conference regular season championship.[4] Mercer won the Big South tournament title following a 16-13 win over High Point. In the NCAA tournament, the Bears lost to Florida 19-12.[15]
The Bears won 17 games in the 2023 season, again breaking the program wins record. For a 2nd straight season they were conference regular season and tournament champions in the Big South. Mercer lost to Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament 1st round.[16]
The 2024 Mercer team went 14-6 overall, defeating High Point 16-12 in the Big South championship game. In the NCAA tournament, Mercer lost 17-6 to Michigan.[17]
In 2025, the Bears continued their dominance in the Big South, winning a fourth consecutive Big South tournament title. Finishing 12-8 overall they lost to Florida 18-6.[18]
In 2026, Mercer won a fifth consecutive Big South regular season and tournament title. The Bears were an unbeaten 8-0 in conference regular season play.[19] They defeated #2 High Point in the conference title game 14-11.[20] In the NCAA tournament they lost to Michigan 18-8.[21]
References
edit- ↑ "Color - Mercer University Style Guide". Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ↑ "2026 Women's Lacrosse Coaches". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2026 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- 1 2 3 4 "Women's Lacrosse Record Book (2025 Season)" (PDF). Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "Head Coach Eve Levinson Resigns from Women's Lacrosse Program". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "Eustace Named Mercer Head Coach | Inside Lacrosse". www.insidelacrosse.com. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Hawkins, Kenny (2017-01-31). "SoCon members to start playing women's lacrosse in 2017-18". WJHL. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Genderen, Gerrit W. Van. "Mercer Defeats Furman, Wins First #SoConWLAX Title". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2018 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Skinner, Mary Bess. "Mercer Falls, 13-9, in NCAA Tournament Loss". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2019 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2020 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2021 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "Women's Lacrosse Joins The Big South Conference". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2022 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2023 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2024 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2025 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2026 Women's Lacrosse Standings". bigsouthsports.com. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2026 WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP". bigsouthsports.com. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "2026 Women's Lacrosse Schedule". Mercer University Athletics. Retrieved 2026-05-24.