DETROIT (9-16-23) - Head Coach Nate Kopunek picked up his first career win as Detroit Mercy knocked off defending #HLMSOC champion Cleveland State, 3-2, behind the first career goal and game-winner by sophomore captain Casey McCarthy. Freshman Drew Pierson also scored his first career goal while sophomore Guershom Sylvain added his first goal of the season and third of his career. 

Sophomore Quinn Tews picked up his first career win in goal making three saves while keeping CSU (1-5-1, 0-2 HL) off the board in the second half. The freshmen tandem Josh Copeland and Diego Zermeno added their first career assists on Sylvain's goal.

The first have was full of offensive fireworks as both teams combined for five total goals. Detroit Mercy (1-6, 1-1 HL) wasted little time striking first in the first minute of the game. Pierson took a long ball feed, turned past two defenders, and fired a beautiful bending shot that beat CSU goalkeeper Stephen Yerian off the right post and into the back of the net giving the Titans a 1-0 lead.

After the Vikings tied the game in the sixth minute, the Titans worked the ball around the left side as Zermeno slipped a pass over to Copeland who delivered a pinpoint cross over to Sylvain who connected on a wide-open header moving UDM ahead 2-1 in the 14th minute.

Once again, CSU responded with the equalizer in the 33rd minute tying the game 2-2.

In the 38th minute, the Titans cashed in off a free-kick opportunity as a long ball was sent into the box that was headed back by a CSU defender which went directly to McCarthy through traffic. He then fired a rocket from just outside the box beating Yerian to the right side giving UDM the lead for good. 

In the second half, Tews and the backline held strong shutting out the Vikings to secure the Titans' first league win of the season. 

UDM hosts Eastern Illinois in non-conference action on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Titan Field.