The Basics
Final Score: Penn State 2, Detroit Mercy 0
Records: Detroit Mercy 1-12-2, Penn State 5-6-2
Location: University Park, Pa. (Jeffrey Field)
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (10/17/2018) -- University of Detroit Mercy freshman goalkeeper
Devin Mendez made a career-best 10 saves on Wednesday, but the Titans fell to Big Ten foe Penn State on the road, 2-0.
Mendez made seven of the 10 saves after halftime to hold PSU off the scoreboard in the second half. Mendez, who came on in relief of starting goalkeeper
Evan Mazurek midway through the first half, made three saves before halftime before racking up seven more saves in the second half.
Penn State scored both of the game's goals in the first half, tallying the first in the 11th minute off a loose ball in the box and then adding a goal in the 36th minute on a rebound in the box. Detroit Mercy made four saves in the first half -- three by Mendez and one by Mazurek.
Sophomore forward
Demetri Pliakos had a long, rising shot that went just wide and high of the net early in the match. Detroit Mercy was credited with three shots in the first half, with senior
Grant Harrison and junior
Max Becker each getting off shots that were blocked in the 37th minute.
The Titans had a more potent offensive attack in the second half and recorded six of seven corner kicks in the match after halftime. Freshman forward
Jason Blackwell pushed a header off a
Dominic Gatson cross just high of the net in the 73rd minute. Detroit Mercy was credited with four shots in the match, but held the advantage in corner kicks, 7-4.
Mendez made several sprawling saves in the second half, including tipping a sure goal just high of the crossbar.
Titan News & Notes
• Mendez's 10 saves were the most for a Titan since
Robbie Beckwell turned away 10 shots at Western Michigan in 2016.
• Mendez made 10 saves in just 64 minutes after subbing in during the first half.
• Mendez's previous career-high was six saves against Wright State on Sept. 29 at home.
• It was the second career meeting with Penn State (also fell 2-0 in 2017 in University Park).
Up Next
Detroit Mercy hosts Western Illinois in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. from Titan Field. The final two matches of the regular season are Horizon League contests with the Titans playing at Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct. 27 before hosting Cleveland State on Friday, Nov. 2.
