The University of Detroit Mercy will induct seven new members into its Hall of Fame on Jan. 28-29, 2017. The Class of 2017 includes one team, the 2004 Women's Soccer Team, standout student-athletes in Teresa Emery (Softball), Tony Kaseta (Baseball), Shireese Statin (Track & Field), Jack Szczepaniuk (Track & Field) and Mark Sommerfeld (Golf), along with former women's basketball coach and women's athletic coordinator Susan Kruszewski. As we count down to Hall of Fame weekend, DetroitTitans.com will feature each of the seven inductees.
DETROIT (12/20/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer program has enjoyed plenty of success over the years, but perhaps no season has been more special than the one in the fall of 2004.
The 2004 women's soccer team set new heights on the playing field, going 14-8-1, including a 6-1 mark in Horizon League play. It was the postseason, however, where the Titans made history.
The Titans got on a roll late in the season and drew Youngstown State in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament. The Titans survived a scare from the Penguins and picked up a 2-1 win in overtime to advance to the semis against Green Bay. Detroit Mercy cruised to a 3-0 win over the Phoenix to set up a showdown with Milwaukee in the league championship.
"Youngstown State was a tough game for us," explained head coach
Mike Lupenec. "Shelly Piccirillo scored the game-winner in overtime and if she doesn't come through for us, who knows, we might not be talking about this season in the same light."
"We knew we had to battle through each game," said former Titan Kathy Banjavcic. "The attitude was simple, we had to win and we knew we could. Neither Milwaukee nor the weather could stop us from winning the Horizon League championship game and it was a windy one."
Milwaukee, winners of two of the previous three championships, entered the title match unbeaten in conference play at 7-0 and breezed through the quarterfinals and semifinals on their way back to the championship. In the first meeting of the 2004 season merely two weeks earlier, the Panthers snuck past the Titans with a 2-1 win in overtime.
The championship would provide another dramatic classic, but this edition featured a different ending. The Titans would score first off a header from junior Allison Hodgins (Epple) and blanketed the potent Milwaukee attack with a suffocating defensive effort to claim the Horizon League title by a 1-0 score. It was the program's first title since 1995.
"That Milwaukee team was one of the best teams we've ever played, so it was a little bit of a shocker," said Lupenec. "But we played a great game and when the players saw that result, we truly believed we could keep our season going. Some things happen for a reason."
The win sent the squad to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history and set up a first-round matchup with in-state powerhouse Michigan.
"We were ready for the Milwaukee game because we wanted revenge," explained Hodgins. "However, gearing up for Michigan was totally different. We were still on such a high from winning the championship that I think a lot of us thought – this is awesome and whatever happens next will be great because it's something no other team had done in school history."
"We were obviously happy to be there against Michigan, but we also knew we had the players to compete," said Lupenec.
In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Wolverines, Hodgins opened the scoring off a penalty kick early in the first half, before a diving stop by senior Titan goalkeeper Alisson Dube on a Michigan penalty kick just moments later revealed that Detroit Mercy was in town for business.
"I remember thinking after I scored the first goal that we might be able to pull this out if we play defense like we did against Milwaukee, but it was still really early in the game," recalled Hodgins. "Then, Michigan got a penalty kick shortly after and Dubes saved it, I thought – this is meant to be."
"Dube's penalty stop was a huge moment," explained Lupenec. "If they score there, the complexion of the game is totally different. Instead of being tied 1-1, we held our lead and then totally took the wind out of their sails with two goals before the half."
Junior Kathy Banjavcic scored twice – the first on a cross from senior Mandi Beloungea (Jasky) and the second after securing a loose ball on a shot from senior Judith Atwood – to send Detroit Mercy into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead over the Wolverines.
"I don't think it really sunk in until halftime when we were up 3-0 walking into the locker room almost speechless," said Hodgins. "Every bounce and every call was going our way and we just knew we weren't going to let up."
"It was almost surreal that we were up 3-0 on Michigan but it was what we had worked towards and we had to make sure we kept up the tempo," added Banjavcic. "If there is one thing I recall from halftime itself is that we were laughing and all we could hear was yelling from the other locker room. I wasn't known for being a goal scorer, but on that day I felt invincible."
"When we found out that we were playing Michigan, a school that's close to us that we don't normally play, I just remember us practicing and acting like it was a normal game," said Mary Latham (Parker). "We were so loose and we were just playing and having fun and all of a sudden we go up 3-0, it was unbelievable."
After the break, a shocked Michigan sideline regrouped and threatened with a pair of goals in the second half, but Detroit Mercy spoiled Michigan's comeback hopes and advanced to the second round with a stunning 3-2 upset.
"Everyone said I ran onto the field like we had won the World Cup," laughed Lupenec. "But it was a big win. A tough win. It's the kind of moment that is a once in a lifetime thing."
"I don't want to say we didn't think we could give Michigan a good game, because we did, but I don't know that anyone truly expected to win the way we did," continued Hodgins.
"It was an amazing feeling when the final whistle blew and we not only beat a highly favored team, but accomplished something special for Detroit Mercy," added Banjavcic.
"I just remember saying, 'oh my gosh, we can actually do this,'" continued Latham. "After the game, I remember there were Michigan girls on the other team saying that they would just have to go to the football game now. None of them had planned on losing to us. It felt really good to beat them."
The tournament win remains Detroit Mercy's only victory in the NCAA Tournament outside of men's basketball, while the Horizon League Championship is the women's soccer program's last title. The 2004 team recorded 14 wins – the highest for the program in the last 20 years.
"The 2004 team was so special because we were a full team of talented, hard workers that played well together," said Hodgins. "From our starters to role players, everyone contributed. Even those that didn't see a lot of playing time made the team better in practice and were cheering us on during games. On and off the field, team morale was always high and we had so much fun together that our team chemistry was great."
"The group of players we had worked hard and were dedicated to one another," added Banjavcic. "Every time we took the field, we not only battled for the win but for one another."
"It really was a special achievement," said Lupenec. "It's a great honor for me as a coach, because I'm grateful to be part of something that was so special. It's an accomplishment that nobody can take away from us, and one that their kids and everyone down the line will know they were a part of. We still use the 2004 team as a stepping stone for what we want to accomplish and that team is part of what drives me as a coach to this day."
The 2004 women's soccer team was led by some of the most distinguished names in program history. Hall of Famer Mary Latham led the team as a sophomore with 37 points on 16 goals and five assists, while Beloungea added a team-high 11 assists. Dube recorded 142 saves, the highest single season total in program history. But to set the bar for the program, it took a complete team effort.
"I think what made that team so special was their work ethic on and off the field, from the first person down to the last," added Lupenec. "They had the right attitude to compete with anybody. When you have those kinds of special players, we were extremely difficult for anyone to play against."
"2004 was irrefutably a memorable season and I am thankful for being a part of a group of ladies that made the team special, but all four years at Detroit Mercy will stick with me," said Banjavcic. "From the lows of sitting out a year, to the highs of winning the championship and everything in between, I will always be proud to say that I was a Titan at the University of Detroit Mercy."
Hall of Fame weekend is set for Jan. 28-29 with the formal induction ceremony scheduled for Jan. 28. All of the inductees will also be honored during halftime of the men's basketball game vs. Green Bay on Jan. 29.
2004 Women's Soccer Roster |
| First Name |
Last Name (Former Last Name) |
| Stacy |
Ahlmark (Armstrong) |
| Judith |
Atwood |
| Sally |
Babcock (Koop) |
| Kathy |
Banjavcic |
| Jessica |
Barrett |
| Mandi |
Beloungea (Jasky) |
| Allison |
Buban (Bullard) |
| Megan |
Canty |
| Alisson |
Dube |
| Bianca |
Easter (Savarino) |
| Katie |
Fortenberry |
| Jessica |
Gasior |
| Elizabeth |
Gauthier (Hardy) |
| Nikki |
Hansinger (Romano) |
| Allison |
Hodgins (Epple) |
| Megan |
Husek |
| Mary |
Latham (Parker) |
| Alexandra |
Michel (Moraca) |
| Shelly |
Piccirillo |
| Jennifer |
Wells |
| Mike |
Lupenec (head coach) |
| Jamie |
Huff (assistant coach) |
| Sally |
Koop (student assistant) |
