MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama State women's soccer fell to Mercer, 6–1, on Sunday afternoon at the ASU Soccer Complex. The Lady Hornets struck early to stay within reach but were unable to slow down a powerful Bears attack.

Mercer (2-2-0) wasted no time setting the tone, as Marianna Rapani opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. Payton Nutzman followed with her first of three goals just four minutes later to push the Bears ahead 2–0.

Alabama State (0-4-1) answered quickly when Emmanuella Yapi found the back of the net in the 11th minute, her first goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2–1. However, Mercer's offense continued to apply relentless pressure. Nutzman scored again in the 19th minute, followed by goals from Hayden Lepley (22') and Maria Karipidis (29'), sending the Bears into halftime with a commanding 5–1 lead.

The second half saw a more resilient ASU defense, with goalkeeper Kailyn Roselli and Corrine Brookes collecting several key saves, but Nutzman completed her hat trick in the 78th minute to cap the scoring. Brookes finished with five saves in the match.

Alabama State managed eight total shots, four on target, led by Serenity Safeeullah, Erica Mathews, Savannah Singleton, and Yapi. Mercer controlled possession (58%) and outshot ASU 23–8.

The Lady Hornets will look to bounce back when they travel to Florence, Ala., to face North Alabama on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m.