Box Score
Postgame Video

DETROIT (10/26/2013) -- Freshman Kristen Tobin had her first two collegiate points with the game-winning goal and an assist and senior Kaitlyn Quarrell added a marker as the University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team kept its hope alive for a home playoff game with a 2-0 victory over Valparaiso on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.

"We need to fix some things as we get ready for Youngstown State, but this was a great win for us to keep us in the postseason mix as well as a chance to host a game," said head coach Mike Lupenec. "Kaityln was able to score a goal on Senior Day and we played well in some tough conditions."

The win was the 11h-straight at home for Detroit, including a perfect 7-0 mark this season to tie a record for the second-straight year for most home wins. In the last 11 home games, the Titans have not even yielded a goal outscoring their opponents 30-0.

The day was also Senior Day for UDM as Quarrell along with Abby McCollum and Ashley Welch were honored prior to the start of the contest. Welch has seen just two losses at home in her two years with Detroit, while for Quarrell and McCollum, Titan Field has been a special place where they have helped the team to a 24-5-2 record during their four years, with the red, white and blue posting a 73-11 margin in goals scored.

"It was great for these seniors to come out here and get a win on Senior Day," said Coach Lupenec. "They have done some great things here, especially on this field, and it was a great way for them to go out if this was their last home game."

The victory moved Detroit to 9-7-1 and 3-3 in the Horizon League with Valparaiso dropping to 8-6-2, 2-3-1 in the league. It gave the Titans a much needed tiebreaker over the Crusaders in the chase for a playoff berth and set them up for a battle for a possible home playoff game with a win over Youngstown State next week - pending a loss by Cleveland State against Oakland or at Wright State in the next week.

With the wind playing havoc with the ball, both teams were looking to find their way offensively and each had a few scoring opportunities that were shut down.

The Titans finally broke through off some great team play nearly 33 minutes into the game as junior Alyssa Lotito set up a corner kick that found its way to junior Alyssa Riley, who then headed it towards the goal and eventually to Tobin, who knocked it in her first collegiate goal.

The rookie was not then as just over 11 minutes later, she got the ball at midfield and was able to find the veteran Quarrell who was ahead of her and she did the rest for her 21st career goal, moving her to a tie with Tanya Tiselj (1999-02) for ninth all-time in school history.

With the Crusaders trying to mount a comeback, the Titans kept up the defensive intensity in the second half, not allowing Valpo any clean looks. Despite VU outshooting UDM, 8-2, in the second stanza, sophomore goalie Martha Dunbar recorded five saves – six total in the game – and the Titans were able to once again keep their opponent with a goose egg on the scoreboard.

Detroit will end the regular season next Friday, Nov. 1, in Ohio as the Titans travel to Youngstown State. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m., against the Penguins in a critical HL showdown.