DETROIT (10/27/2017) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team honored its four-member senior class before the game, and the Titans came out playing for pride on a cold and rainy Friday afternoon, but the red, white and blue were edged, 1-0, by Wright State.
Before the game, the Titans acknowledged the senior class of
Rachel DeLuca,
Phylisha Drayton,
Suzie Redick and
Paige Roberts. The class appeared in two Horizon League championship semifinals and recorded one runner-up effort.
Junior
Marina Manzo tallied eight saves and Detroit Mercy (4-13-1, 1-8-0 HL) outshot Wright State (11-7-0, 6-3-0 HL), 15-12, with four of them from Drayton and two from DeLuca.
The Titans concluded the regular season – their 25th varsity campaign - and will now get into their offseason training to prepare for a run at next year's conference title.
First Half
- The Titans attacked early as Drayton looked to have some space from her defender and put a shot on goal that was saved in the third minute.
- Manzo registered her first save of the game in the sixth minute.
- Drayton had another attempt at 22:15 that was also stopped by the WSU keeper.
- Wright State's score came off a corner kick in the 32mind minute.
- The Titans had a corner kick opportunity at 33:40 and from that, freshman Kelli Doyle's header sailed wide.
- DeLuca had two shots blocked by a Wright State defender in the 38th minute and then Manzo registered a save on a line drive at 38:29.
- The Titans had three more shots block by defenders to end the half, outshooting Wright State, 10-4, in the first 45 minutes.
Second Half
- The Titans again came out aggressive earning a corner kick at 47:23, but junior Molly Kane's header was high.
- Manzo recorded five of her eight saves in the second half, including a couple of rockets that were booted by the Raiders.
- The Titans last scoring attempt came at 80:44 as Doyle's header was high.
Game Notes
- Wright State leads the all-time series 14-10-5.
- Detroit Mercy dropped nine games by one goal this season, including seven Horizon League contests.
- DeLuca ended her collegiate career leading the team in goals (5), assists (5) and points (15) for the season and posted 25 points on eight goals and nine assists as a Titan.
- DeLuca also took all 56 corner kicks on the year for the Titans.
- Drayton finished her career with 11 goals and four assists for 26 points, while Redick had six goals and 13 points in her career.
- Roberts tallied one goal as a defender, a game-winner at Youngstown State last week.
- Manzo ended the season with 86 saves, tied for 13th in school history, while her 265 saves is fourth all-time, just 24 behind Nikki Thomas '96 for third place.
- Manzo posted five saves or more in nine games on the year.
