Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (9/14/2014) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team was crowned as the UNLV Nike Invitational champions Sunday after battling tournament host UNLV to a 0-0 tie after two overtimes at Johann Field.
 
Detroit and UNLV finished with the same record in the tournament, but UDM scored more goals than the Rebels in the tournament to secure the tournament title.
 
The Titans (2-2-1) earned their first shutout of the season against a UNLV squad (5-0-1) that had won its first five matches of the year. Detroit also handed the Rebels its first shutout of the 2014 campaign.
 
"I can't remember a time that I've been more proud of my team," Detroit head coach Nicholas Deren '99 said. "We had 18 players that we came to Las Vegas with and today, it was 101 degrees and we played with 17 players and I thought we were the better team on the field. We had the better chances and we played for each other and with each other."

Following the conclusion of the tournament, goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the tournament, while defender Jason Leslie, midfielder Aidan Kuhls, forward Spiro Pliakos and Steinwascher were each named to the UNLV Nike Invitational All-Tournament Team.
 
Detroit came out firing in the first half and out-shot UNLV during the opening 45 minutes, 6-1. The Titans also had a goal disallowed in the first half after there was a foul on the UNLV goalkeeper Ryan Harding.
 
UNLV picked up the offensive pace in the second half and had seven shots during the second stanza, but the Titan defense was up to the task all afternoon. After 90 minutes of regulation, the game remained scoreless. The teams then played two, 10-minute overtime periods, with neither squad getting a good chance on goal.
 
Senior goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) made four saves in net, including one save in overtime, and thwarted several UNLV opportunities during the game to secure the shutout in 110 minutes.
 
"It's good to see Nathan Steinwascher get his first shutout," Deren said. "He led us today and this weekend in organization and communication of the field."
 
Sophomore midfielder Adam Clauss (Grand Haven, Mich. / Spring Lake) led the Titans with three shots during the contest. Senior midfielder Cameron Roberts (Reford, Mich. / University of Detroit Jesuit) and freshman forward Spiro Pliakos (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) each added two shots for Detroit. The Titans had nine shots overall during the game, including two on goal.
 
Detroit tied a season-low by only allowing four shots on goal, even though UDM played through two overtime periods. UNLV had 11 total shots total for the game.
 
"We wanted to establish ourselves this weekend and earn respect against two very, very good programs," Deren added of the trip to Las Vegas. "It was a team effort the whole weekend."
 
The Titans have two more games on the road before their first home match of the season. Detroit plays at Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 19, and follows with a Sunday, Sept. 21 match at Niagara.