The Basics
Final Score: Michigan 1, Detroit Mercy 0
Records: Detroit Mercy 3-7-1, Michigan 6-2-3
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (10/9/2019) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team out-shot host University of Michigan in the second half and fired more shots on goal overall Wednesday night, but the Titans came up just short against the Wolverines, falling 1-0 from U-M Soccer Stadium.
It was deadlocked at 0-0 for the majority of the match until the Wolverines picked up a goal on a header in the box in the 74th minute of the contest. Detroit Mercy had its chances throughout, but was unable to push a goal across as the Big Ten opponent came away with the win.
Detroit Mercy held a 6-5 shot advantage in the second half alone and had four shots on goal in the contest to Michigan's three. Detroit Mercy had a good opportunity early as senior
Jake Reitzloff got behind the defense and fired a shot on goal in the box that was turned away. Senior
Aleks Vushaj was there for the rebound effort, but again the ball deflected away.
In the second half, just after the Wolverines pushed across the first goal, junior
Demetri Pliakos had a great chance, knifing through the defense and then sending a hard low shot towards the post, but his shot was turned away by Michigan keeper Andrew Verdi. The Titans earned a corner kick off Pliakos' attempt and
Max Becker's kick found the head of
Ryan Halloran, who sent the ball towards net and was cleared at the line by a Michigan defender.
Just minutes later, Vushaj was pushed down in the box from behind, but the referee didn't blow the whistle. The Titans were unable to get another look on net in the final 10 minutes, but it wasn't without a great effort from the red, white and blue, which had as many if not more opportunities than the Wolverines on Wednesday.
Junior
Demetri Pliakos, sophomore
Kyle Bandyk and Reitzloff all finished with two shots in the match and one shot on goal. Sophomore
Ryan Pierson also had a shot on goal for the Titans. In net, sophomore GK
Devin Mendez made two saves for the Titans.
Up Next
Detroit Mercy returns home for its next match, hosting Northern Kentucky in a Horizon League contest on Saturday at 7 p.m. from Titan Field. The game is a doubleheader with the Titan women's soccer squad from Titan Field on Saturday. Admission into both matches is free.
