Box Score

DETROIT (10/21/2012) - The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team dropped its first Horizon League game of the season in a 2-0 loss to Valparaiso on Sunday at Titan Field.

The Crusaders (3-6-5, 1-1-3 HL) scored two goals in a span of four minutes to hand the Titans (7-7-0, 3-1-0 HL) their first loss in league play. Despite the setback, UDM still controls its own destiny for a regular season championship and a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

UDM had chances early putting up three shots in the first eight minutes of play, while Titan goalie Nathan Steinwascher was on his game making a diving save in the 20th minute and another in the 39th minute to keep the game scoreless. 

Detroit had an extra-man advantage for the last 47 minutes as Valparaiso's Jesse Ortiz was issued a red card and was ejected from the game late in the first half. At the half, the score was deadlocked at 0-0 with Detroit outshooting Valpo, 8-4, and holding a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Even with the man-down, the Crusaders came out of halftime with some offensive punch, totaling 11 shots in the second stanza. Valparaiso finally got on the board with a goal in the 82nd minute and then again in the 86th minute.

UDM will look to bounce back as it travels to Milwaukee in another Horizon League match-up on Wednesday, with game time set for 8:00 p.m.