Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. (11/8/2014) -- Playing in the Horizon League Championship match for the first time since 2006 on Saturday, the second-seeded University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team played strong defensively, but fell to top-seeded Valparaiso 1-0 at Brown Field.

It was the seventh time that Detroit (9-9-1) - under head coach Mike Lupenec - has reached the title match. It's also the fifth-straight season that Detroit has earned at least a spot in the Horizon League semifinals and at least eight victories in a season.

Three Titans were named to the 2014 Horizon League All-Tournament Team as senior midfielder Alyssa Riley, senior defender Haley Burtraw and junior defender Alyssa Lotito were all voted to the squad by the tournament's coaches.

"I'm really proud of the seniors this year," Detroit head coach Mike Lupenec said. "They carried the team this year. Not only are they great people off the field, but they are great role models on the field. They are a big reason why we've had the success this season and in the past four years and I want to thank them for all that they have done for the program and wish them the best of luck."

Valparaiso (14-1-4) scored the lone goal of the game in the 83rd minute off a free kick as April Cronin scored off a cross from Erika Schoemann. Cronin received the ball near the six-yard box and beat Detroit goalkeeper Marina Manzo to the short side of the goal inside the post.

Junior defender Alyssa Lotito (Macomb, Mich. / Eisenhower) had Detroit's best chance on net during the match, firing a free kick from 25 yards out on goal, but Valparaiso goalkeeper Sydney Galvez-Daley made the save. It was the only shot on goal for the Titans during the contest. Earlier in the first half, sophomore Aubrey Formica (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston) had a shot in the box, but the Valparaiso defense, including Galvez-Daley, closed the window on a scoring chance, blocking the shot.

The Titans finished the game with two shots. Valparaiso had 10 shots, including four on goal. The Crusaders also had all three corner kicks.

Marina Manzo (Washington Township, Mich. / Romeo) made three saves in goal for the Titans.

Detroit, the league runner-up during the regular season with a 5-3 conference record, finished as one of the top two teams in the conference in both the regular season standings as well as the tournament. The Titans concluded the season with seven shutouts and earned five overtime victories, which was the most in the Horizon League.

Four Detroit seniors competed in their final match in the red, white and blue. Haley Burtraw, Alyssa Riley, Victoria Sollestre and Abbey Troy all helped the Detroit women's soccer program to 41 wins from 2011-14, and were each a part of the 2012 squad that earned a share of the regular-season title.