Box Score

The Detroit Titans women's soccer team mounted a late second half rally but fell short, 3-2, to visiting Butler Sunday afternoon at Titan Field.

Detroit (5-5-1, 2-1 HL) was led by senior forward Trina Kochanski (Royal Oak, MI/Kimball), who netted both Titan goals late in the second half. Freshman forward Alison Suschak (Brecksville, OH/Brecksville) and senior midfielder Nicole Gipson (Sterling Heights, MI/Stevenson) each recorded an assist on the day.

Butler (8-5, 3-0 HL) was paced by junior Molly Kruger, who scored the game-winner and assisted on the Bulldogs' two other goals.

Trailing 3-0 late in the second half, Detroit got its first goal on a direct kick at the 83:46 mark. Gipson sent in a kick from the right side about 20 yards out which Kochanski was able to control and put a shot past BU goalkeeper Olivia Walter, cutting the lead to 3-1.

In the 86th minute, UDM struck again as Suschak started a counter attack and delivered a long pass from 35 yards out up to Kochanski, who streaked in and got the ball inside the 18 yard line. From there, she was able to maneuver in and beat Walter with a shot to the left post pulling the Titans to within one goal, 3-2. However, Butler was able to control the ball the rest of the way and kept it deep into the corners to run out the clock, preserving the 3-2 win.

"We played some good soccer over the final 20 minutes against a good Butler team," said UDM head coach Mike Lupenec. "Unfortunately, we made some early mental errors on our back line and gave up some goals that I believe were soft. I look for us to learn from our mistakes, make the necessary adjustments and give a total team effort against Valparaiso on Friday."

In the first half, Butler took a 1-0 lead on a corner kick set piece as Kruger's cross went through traffic onto the foot of Matite Bastyr, who beat freshman goalkeeper Joanna Hinde (Shelby Township, MI/Eisenhower).

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the second half. Lindsay Fox struck a cross from Kruger which hit Hinde. The ball rebounded out in front of the net, where Carrie Twyman was able to place it into the empty net for a 2-0 lead.

The Titans then caught a bad bounce as Kruger's direct kick hit a UDM player set up in the wall and deflected over Hinde's outstretched arms for a 3-0 lead and the eventual game-winner.

Detroit continues conference play at Titan Field against Valparaiso on Friday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 p.m.