DETROIT (10/16/2021) -- The Titans used some strong defense and goals from redshirt senior Demetri Pliakos and freshman Stephen Kosto to register a big win at home on Saturday night as the University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team blanked Milwaukee, 2-0. 

The win moved the Titans to 4-4-4, 3-2-2 in Horizon League action as they took down a Panthers' (6-6-1, 4-2-1 HL) team that was in third place in the conference standings.

It was Pliakos' third goal of the season and he later added his team-high fourth assist of the year, while Kosto scored his first collegiate goal on his first-ever shot. 

The Titans limited Milwaukee to just seven shots as redshirt freshman Jonathan Kliewer had to make just two saves on the night to pick up the fourth shutout of his rookie campaign. 

It was a scoreless first half as both teams had just one shot on goal.

In the second half, Kliewer was able to make a diving save early on to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard.

Pliakos put the Titans ahead, 1-0, in the 63rd minute. Off a free-kick that landed in the box, senior Kyle Bandyk was able to get the ball to the other side of the net, where Pliakos was able to head it past the keeper.

In the 85th minute, Pliakos was the playmaker as he fed Kosto on the right side of the field and he was able to fire one high over the keeper for a 2-0 lead. 

The Titans will be back in action next Saturday, Oct. 23, when they host Robert Morris at 7:00 p.m. in a soccer doubleheader that will see the women face Purdue Fort Wayne at 3:00 p.m.