Box Score ANN ARBOR, Mich. (10/21/2014) -- Behind a strong defensive effort on Tuesday night, the University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team battled to a 0-0 tie against Big Ten foe Michigan in front of 803 people at U-M Soccer Stadium.
The Titans (7-4-3) recorded their third straight shutout and fifth shutout of the season overall. Detroit hasn't allowed a goal in more than 321 minutes dating back to a 1-1 tie with IPFW at home on Oct. 7.
Michigan (4-6-3) came out strong offensively on its home field, firing three shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Detroit junior goalkeeper
Nathan Steinwascher (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) made saves on all three shots to keep the game scoreless in the early going.
Midway through the first half, Detroit started to pressure offensively as freshman midfielder
Spiro Pliakos (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) had a couple of looks on goal that were turned away by Michigan keeper Evan Louro.
In the 42nd minute of the match, Detroit had the best chance of the first half as junior defender
Jason Leslie (Troy, Mich. / Troy) fired a shot from the right side of the box that caught the near post. At the half, Detroit had the shot advantage over the Wolverines, 7-6.
In the second half, both teams again had scoring opportunities but couldn't capitalize. Michigan had six corner kicks in the second half, while Detroit had six shots during the closing 45 minutes of regulation. Sophomore midfielder
Tyler Moorman (Caledonia, Mich. / East Kentwood) had three shots for Detroit in the last 15 minutes of regulation, but the game would be pushed into overtime.
Steinwascher came up big for Detroit in both overtime sessions to help keep the game scoreless. In the 94th minute, Steinwascher made a diving save on U-M's Yamann Sahlool, who had sent a header for the left corner of the goal.
Just minutes later, UDM sophomore
Aidan Kuhls (Kansas City, Mo. / Bishop Miege) nearly got a shot past Louro to end the game, but the Michigan goalkeeper made the save. The Wolverines had four shots in the second overtime session, with one hitting the post, but Steinwascher and the Detroit defense secured another shutout after time ran out.
Both Michigan and Detroit finished with 16 shots for the game, while Michigan had the edge in corner kicks, 8-2. Steinwascher tied a season-high with eight saves in net and posted his third straight shutout. Pliakos finished with a game-high seven shots, including three on goal. Moorman had five shots for the Titans.
Detroit returns to Horizon League play Saturday, hosting Cleveland State at 1 p.m. for Senior Day at Titan Field.
