The Basics
Final Score: Detroit Mercy 1, Valparaiso 1
Records: Detroit Mercy 0-2-3, Valparaiso 1-1-2
Location: Valparaiso, Ind. (Eastgate Field)

VALPARAISO, Ind. (9/10/2016) -- Junior forward Spiro Pliakos scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the first half as the University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw at Valparaiso University on Saturday afternoon.

The match was the Horizon League opener for both teams. It was also the final game of a five-match road trip to open the season for Detroit Mercy.

Pliakos took the penalty kick in the 24th minute after he was fouled in the penalty area. He fired the ball just out of the reach of Valparaiso goalkeeper Nico Campbell to give the Titans a 1-0 lead, one that would stand past halftime.

Valparaiso evened the score in the 59th minute when the Crusaders' leading scorer Isaiah Madrid found the back of the net off a free kick. The game remained scoreless the rest of the way. The Titan defense was strong all afternoon, spearheaded by the back line and goalkeeper Robbie Beckwell.

The game was a physical one with six yellow cards being issued and 41 total fouls called, 23 of them against Detroit Mercy. There were no shots on goal in overtime and Valparaiso had the only corner kick opportunity in the extra session.

Detroit Mercy was credited with two shots on goal and also took two corner kicks during the match. Valparaiso had 19 shots, but only four of them were on net.

The match was the fourth time - out of five games - this season in which the Titans have given up just one or no goals and it was the third-straight that Detroit Mercy has allowed one goal.

Up Next
The Titans host Cleveland State in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 17, from Titan Field. The match at 1 p.m. is set to be streamed live on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN Applications.