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DETROIT (8/30/13) – The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team opened up the 2013 season with a 0-0 tie against the IUPUI Jaguars Friday afternoon on Titan Field.

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net in the first half. Detroit managed to put up four shots, two of those from reigning 2013 Horizon League Player of the Year, Adam Bedell, including a header that almost crept by IUPUI goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes. The Jags had their fair share of chances, hosting up seven shots by seven different players.
 
The Titans nearly got on the scoreboard first, but a ball from Kevin Pinkos with 12:38 remaining in the opening half slightly missed the foot of Mike Pugh for what would have been an easy Titan goal.
 
IUPUI put up seven shots the first half but junior goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher made sure to give his squad a chance by keeping the Jaguars off the scoreboard.
 
Both teams returned to the field looking to put a point on the scoreboard. UDM senior Bedell had an opportunity on a few headers, especially one that looked golden with 28:43 remaining in the match and finally give the Titans an advantage over IUPUI, but the attempt was saved.  Shortly after, some miscommunication by the Titans led to a breakaway for the Jaguars, but Steinwascher saved a shot by Ben Ogedegbe and another from Olayode Ahmed, who was fed after some spiffy moves by Lance Davis. The match remained scoreless at 20:28 into the second frame.
 
UDM freshman Tyler Moorman's only shot of the game at the 17-minute mark prematurely sent Titan fans cheering, but it was the play of the two goalkeepers that kept onlookers on the edge of their seats. In the final minutes of regulation, Mike Pugh had a chance for the game-winning goal, but the attempt ran high as the clock ran down.
 
Kevin Pinkos almost made the overtime a short one, but missed the attempt off a throw from Bedell. The Titans certainly had their far chances in the first half outshooting the Jaguars three to one.
 
During the second overtime each squad went into desperation mode to put together a successful run on goal. Detroit handled the ball for about eight minutes of the final overtime and had chances at goal, including a potential winner with with one second left but the Bedell shot sailed wide, and the Titans would go on and play to a draw in their season opener, 0-0.

Detroit will get on the road next weekend to face the Big Red of Cornell in the Mayor's Cup at Hartwick College on Friday, September 6. Match time is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
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