DETROIT, Mich. (10/24/15) – Senior
Jennifer Borawski exploded past the back line of Valparaiso in the 102
nd minute and slid a one-on-one look past a charging keeper. Her goal broke a 0-0 tie and gave the University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team a crucial win on Saturday afternoon in a rematch of last year's Horizon League championship.
The win launches Detroit into sixth place of the Horizon League standings at 7-8-2 overall and 3-4-1 in league play. With one game remaining, the Titans are now tied with Valpo for the sixth and final spot in the Horizon League tournament. The Titans own the tiebreaker with the Crusaders after Saturday's win.
The match was tight from the start, with each team generating scoring chances through the first half of play. The Crusaders opened up offensively in the second half, outshooting the Titans 10-2.
But the visitors could not crack the Titans defense, thanks in large part to excellent play from freshman goalkeeper
Claudia Eustaquio. Eustaquio made a career-high seven saves on the way to her fifth shutout of the season, while improving to 4-6-2.
Valparaiso's best scoring chance of the afternoon came on a breakaway in the 77
th minute. April Cronin got a free run at goal and headed a bouncing ball over Eustaquio, but
Kaitlan Vossen came flying in to clear the ball from the goal line and preserve the 0-0 score.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I thought that I did my job. I kept the team in the game, but everyone else did theirs too, so it was a total team effort," –Freshman goalkeeper
Claudia Eustaquio
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Valparaiso outshot the Titans, 15-5, including a 10-2 advantage in the second half.
• Detroit held the edge in saves, 8-3, and recorded the only shot in overtime.
• Valparaiso was called for four off sides.
• The teams were even in corner kicks, with each side picking up four.
• Borawski led the Titans with a pair of shots and the game's lone score.
• Mindling picked up an assist and notched one shot on goal.
TITAN NEWS AND NOTES
• The Titans got a little bit of payback against Valparaiso in the pair's first game since the Horizon League Tournament Championship last fall.
• The Titans are tied for first in the Horizon League with six shutouts. Detroit has allowed a goal or less in 10 of 17 games.
• Detroit is now 2-1-2 in games decided in overtime, with each win coming in the last two occurrences.
• Mindling moved into the team-lead with 12 points on four goals and four assists.
HOME COOKING
The Titans are 32-7-3 in home games since the beginning of the 2011 season. Detroit had a 16-match unbeaten streak (15-0-1) across three years snapped late last season in a 1-0 loss to Northern Kentucky. The Titans finished the 2014 season 4-2-1 at home and are 7-2-1 in 2015.
Defensively, Detroit has recorded 21 total shutouts in its last 29 matches at Titan Field dating back to 2012.
The Titans have scored 20 of their 23 goals at home this season.
ON TAP
Detroit returns to action in their regular-season finale next Friday, Oct. 30 at home against Wright State. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. The UDM women's soccer team seniors will be honored at the game for their dedication and contributions to the women's soccer program.
