DETROIT (10-9-24) – The Detroit Mercy women's soccer team puts their #HLWSOC unbeaten streak on the line with a pair of pivotal matches beginning at home against Wright State on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. followed by a road game at Cleveland State on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Both matches will be broadcast live from Titan Field and Krenzler Field on ESPN+.
Scouting the Raiders:
Wright State is 3-7-1 (1-2-1 HL) on the season after a 1-0 set at Youngstown State last week. The Raiders were selected to finish fourth in the 2024 Under Armour #HLWSOC Pre-Season Poll.
WSU Rewind:
Oct. 12, 2023 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Wright State 1:
Sophomore
Abbey Lodato recorded three shots with one on goal as Detroit Mercy battled but came up short at Wright State with a 1-0 setback in #HLWSOC action on Thursday night at Alumni Field.
Detroit Mercy (5-7-3, 3-4 HL) outshot WSU (6-5-3, 4-2-1 HL) by a 14-6 margin with sophomores
Soraya Puerto-Khalil,
Megan Malek,
Sophia Blankenship, seniors
Karsen Murray,
Gabby Ketola and
Raegan Hammond, and freshman
Leila Lanier each accounting for one of eight shots on goal.
A Look at Cleveland State:
Cleveland State is 0-11-1 (0-5 HL) on the season after consecutive setbacks against WSU and Green. The Vikings were selected to finish 10th in the 2024 Under Armour #HLWSOC Pre-Season Poll.
CSU Rewind:
Oct. 15, 2023 – Detroit Mercy 3 vs Cleveland State 1:
Detroit Mercy's big three offensive weapons came to play as sophomores
Abbey Lodato and
Sophia Blankenship and senior
Karsen Murray each scored their team-best fifth goal of the season rallying the Titans to a 3-1 win over Cleveland State on Sunday afternoon. With the win, UDM remains undefeated in #HLWSOC play at Titan Field.
Senior
Gabby Ketola also posted her team-best fifth assist of the season while Lodato added her second. Senior
Jazmine Scott picked up her sixth win making four saves.
Last Time Out:
Oct. 5 – Detroit Mercy 3 at IU Indy 2:
Junior
Soraya Puerto-Khalil posted four points with a goal and two assists while junior
Abbey Lodato scored her second game-winning goal of the season giving Detroit Mercy a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind victory at IU Indy on Saturday afternoon at Michael A. Carroll Stadium to remain unbeaten in #HLWSOC play. The win also marked the first HL win for the Titans over the Jags.
UDM scored the game's first goal just eight minutes into the contest when Puerto-Khalil found the back of the net for the first time this season. The host Jaguars answered a minute later with the equalizer. IU Indy then took a 2-1 lead in the 25th minute heading into the halftime break.
Redshirt senior
Joyelle Washington scored her second goal of the season just 53 seconds into the second half leveling the match at 2-2 before Lodato fired home the game-winner in the 65th minute to seal the game.
It's Been a While:
• Detroit Mercy's 3-2 come-from-behind win at IU Indy the first #HLWSOC win for the Titans over the Jags.
• With the 1-1 tie at Milwaukee, UDM recorded their first #HLWSOC point against the Panthers since the 2007 season.
Soraya Saves the Day
• Puerto-Khalil recorded four points with a goal and two assists to lead Detroit Mercy to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory at IU Indy (10/5).
• Scored her first goal of the season eight minutes into the game giving the Titans a 1-0 lead.
• Assisted on the equalizer just 53 seconds into the second half tying the game a 2-2.
• Added second assist on the game-winning goal in the 65th minute, marking UDM's first #HLWSOC win over the Jaguars to remain undefeated in league play.
All Day Abbey:
• Junior
Abbey Lodato leads the team in goals (6) and points (13).
• Scored second game-winning goal in the 65th minute, marking UDM's first #HLWSOC win over IU Indy (10/5) to remain undefeated in league play.
• Posted four points with two consecutive goals, leading Detroit Mercy to a pair of 1-1 draws to remain undefeated in #HLMSOC play.
• Scored the equalizer in the 81st minute to secure a draw at Green Bay (9/26).
• Put UDM on the board against Milwaukee (9/29) with her team-best fifth goal of the season, giving the Titans their first points in HL play against the Panthers since the 2007 season.
• Racked up five points off two goals and an assist in the Titans' 5-0 dominating win over Chicago State (9/5).
• Scored first goal of the season off a penalty kick against Utah Valley (8/18).
Toup There It Is:
• Graduate student forward
Erica Toupin ranks second on the team in points (12) and goals (5).
• Posted second assist at Milwaukee (9/29).
• Named Under Armour® #HLWSOC Offensive Player of the Week announced by the league office (9/23).
• Recorded five points with two goals and an assist coming off the bench to lead Detroit Mercy to a perfect 2-0 #HLWSOC record for the week.
• Assisted on the game-winning goal and added an insurance tally for three points in UDM's 3-1 win over YSU (9/19)
• Scored the game-winning goal for her career-best fifth goal of the season, giving the Titans a 2-1 win over RMU (9/22).
• Added her third goal against Chicago State (9/5) and posted both goals in the UDM's 2-0 shutout win over Madonna (9/2) giving the Titans their first win of the season.
Joy to the World:
• Senior
Joyelle Washington scored her first career goal in a Titan uniform in UDM's 2-1 win over YSU (9/19) and added her first assist at Green Bay (9/26).
• Added second goal of the season just 53 seconds into the second half, leveling the match at 2-2 at IU Indy (10/5), helping the Titans secure their first #HLWSOC win over the Jags.
On the Board:
• Sophomore defender Leila recorded her first assist of the season and second of her career at Milwaukee (9/29).
• Junior
Jen Mateyak posted her first career goal in UDM's 2-1 win over RMU (9/22).
• Redshirt senior
Madelyn Baucom delivered her first career in a Titan uniform on
Jen Mateyak's first career goal in UDM's 2-1 win over RMU (9/22).
•
Leila Lanier added her first career goal off the first career assist from freshman and fellow defender
Kyleen Bradow against Chicago State (9/5).
• Redshirt Senior
Justice Tillotson scored her first goal in a Titans' uniform UDM's 3-1 setback at Bowling Green (8/15).
• Graduate student
Hailey Matthews added her first assist of the season on Tillotson's goal. She ranked third on the team in assists from her defensive position last season.
Freshman Firsts:
•
Sam Sickinger had quite the breakout game recording her first career game-winning goal to lead Detroit Mercy to a 3-1 #HLWSOC season-opening win over Youngstown State (9/19) followed by her first career assist on Toupin's game-winner against RMU (9/22).
•
Kyleen Bradow added her first career assist on Lanier's first career goal against Chicago State (9/5) and her second on Sickinger's game-winner against YSU (9/19).
•
Mya Mascaro also posted her first career assist on Lodato's second goal against the Cougars (9/5).
•
Amelia Streberger recorded her career goal against Utah Valley (8/18) and second against Chicago State (9/5).
Welcome Back Silver:
• Graduate Student
Marisa Silver recorded her fourth win which marked UDM's first #HLWSOC win over the IU Indy to remain undefeated in league play.
• Picked up her third win of the season in goal recording four saves vs RMU (9/22) and her third win vs YSU (9/19).
• Posted three saves and shut out YSU in the second half in UDM's 3-1 win.
• Made four saves and shut out RMU in the first half while only surrendering a second-half penalty kick goal in the Titans' 2-1 win.
• Made two saves against Chicago State (9/5), picking up her first shutout since the 2021 season.
• She faced 30 shots making nine saves against Utah Valley (8/18) just missing her career-high of 11.
• Silver battled back from injury to make her first start in goal against BGSU (8/15) since the 2022 season. Her last start was at FGSU on Aug. 18, 2022, where she suffered a season-ending injury. Last season, she only saw action in one game against PFW (10/8).
Got the Call:
• Senior transfer
Chantelle Symes earned her first career shutout in a Titan uniform over Madonna (9/2).
• Symes made her first career start for UDM between the pipes against Utah Valley (8/18) making four saves while holding the Wildcats scoreless in the first half.
Mikayla Duncan Selected to Serve in the 2024 Civic Captain Initiative by The Team:
Detroit Mercy women's soccer graduate student
Mikayla Duncan was one of 27 student-athletes selected to serve as a Civic Captain in the 2024 Civic Captain Initiative by The Team which is a nonprofit organization that creates award-winning programming focused on integrating nonpartisan civic engagement and voter participation into college athletics. Their mission is focused on developing great teammates, inspiring leaders, and empowering citizens.
The Team's new Civic Captain Initiative is a program focused on recruiting, training, and empowering student-athletes from targeted states (PA, NC, AZ, and MI) to utilize their platforms to organize their peers to vote. For the next three months, these student-athletes will champion The Team and its programming, improving civic and voting practices within their athletic department and across their community as a whole.
Senior Day Salute:
Before the match against WMU, UDM honored 10 seniors
Samantha Ceballos,
Mikayla Duncan,
Tia Jokic,
Hailey Matthews,
Adriana Mroz,
Danica Paesano,
Marisa Silver,
Justice Tillotson,
Erica Toupin, and
Olivia Zulewski for their hard work and dedication to the program.
Return of the MAC:
UDM played five total games against teams from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Titans fell at home against Western Michigan (9/8), at Toledo (8/30) and at BGSU (8/15) in the season opener. Additionally, the Titans played exhibition matches against Central Michigan (8/8) and Eastern Michigan (8/11).
Night and Day:
Over the first five games of the season, Detroit Mercy allowed only two total goals in the first half. Conversely, the Titans allowed nine goals in second-half action.
Season Rewind:
Sept. 29 – Detroit Mercy 1 at Milwaukee 1:
For the second straight game, junior
Abbey Lodato scored a goal to lead Detroit Mercy to a draw in #HLWSOC play as the Titans and Milwaukee played to a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium. Sophomore
Leila Lanier and graduate student
Erica Toupin each picked up an assist on Lodato's tally. Graduate student
Marisa Silver posted four saves in goal and is unbeaten in her last four matches.
Sept. 26 – Detroit Mercy 1 at Green Bay 1:
Junior
Abbey Lodato scored her fourth goal of the season off
Joyelle Washington's first career assist in a Titan uniform to give Detroit Mercy a 1-1 draw at Green Bay in #HLWSOC action from Aldo Santanga Stadium on Thursday night.
Titans Hold Off Robert Morris for Second Consecutive #HLWSOC Win
Sept. 22 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs Robert Morris 1:
Junior
Jen Mateyak posted her first career goal while graduate student
Erica Toupin added the game-winner in the second half as Detroit Mercy took down Robert Morris, 2-1, to earn their second #HLWSOC win on Sunday afternoon at Titan Field. Redshirt senior
Madelyn Baucom delivered her first career in a Titan uniform, while freshman
Sam Sickinger added her first career assist on Toupin's game-winner after scoring her first career tally on Thursday night. Graduate student
Marisa Silver picked up her third win of the season in goal making four saves.
Titans Freeze Penguins in #HLWSOC Opener
Sept. 19 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs Youngstown State 1:
Freshman
Sam Sickinger had quite the breakout game recording her first career game-winning goal leading Detroit Mercy to a 3-1 #HLWSOC season-opening win over Youngstown State on Thursday Night. The Titans moved to a perfect 13-0 all-time record against YSU at Titan Field.
Senior
Joyelle Washington scored her first career goal in a Titan (3-6, 1-0 HL) uniform while graduate student
Erica Toupin added her team-best fourth goal and first assist of the season. Freshman
Kyleen Bradow also added her second helper of the season on Sickinger's game-winner.
Sept. 8 – Detroit Mercy 0 vs Western Michigan 3:
Junior
Jen Mateyak posted a shot on goal while freshman
Sam Sickinger and junior
Abbey Lodato recorded a shot as Detroit Mercy fell 3-0 to Western Michigan on Sunday afternoon at Titan Field for Senior Day.
Titans Dominate Cougars Earning Second Straight Win
Sept. 5 – Detroit Mercy 5 vs Chicago State 0:
Detroit Mercy's offense was hitting on cylinders led by junior
Abbey Lodato who racked up five points off two goals and an assist as the Titans rolled over Chicago State in dominating fashion with a 5-0 win on Thursday afternoon at Titan Field. Sophomore defender
Leila Lanier added her first career goal off the first career assist from freshman and fellow defender
Kyleen Bradow while Graduate Student
Marisa Silver made two saves picking up her first shutout since the 2021 season.
Graduate Student
Erica Toupin and freshman
Amelia Streberger each added their third and second goals of the season respectively to round out the scoring for the Titans with freshman
Mya Mascaro adding her first career assist.
Titans Earn First Win of the Season
Sept. 2 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs Madonna 0:
Graduate student
Erica Toupin scored both goals while senior goalkeeper
Chantelle Symes earned her first career shutout in a Titan uniform as Detroit Mercy earned a 2-0 victory over Madonna on Labor Day Monday afternoon at Titan Field.
The game was scoreless until Toupin put the Titans ahead 1-0 in the 44th minute. She then added an insurance tally late in the second half in the 84th minute to secure UDM's first win of the season.
Aug.25 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Morehead State 1:
Senior
Adriana Mroz, junior
Soraya Puerto-Khalil, and graduate student
Hailey Matthews each recorded a shot on frame as Detroit Mercy played Morehead State even for the first half but it was not enough as the Titans surrendered a goal to open the second half falling 1-0 to the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
Junior
Abbey Lodato and freshman
Amelia Streberger also added two shots each to round out nine total for UDM (0-4). Graduate student
Marisa Silver got the start in goal making three saves.
Aug.22 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Kentucky 2:
Senior
Chantelle Symes faced 30 shots making five saves in goal as Detroit Mercy suffered a 2-0 setback at Kentucky on Thursday night at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats (3-0-0) were on the attack all night, holding the Titans (0-3-0) to just one shot on goal by graduate student
Joyelle Washington. After a scoreless first half, Kentucky scored the first goal of the match in the 51st minute before adding an insurance tally in the 82nd minute.
Aug.18 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs. Utah Valley 5:
Freshman
Amelia Streberger scored her first career goal while junior
Abbey Lodato converted a penalty kick but it was not enough as Detroit Mercy fell 5-2 in home opening action on Sunday night at Titan Field.
UDM (0-2-0) jumped in front, 1-0, just two minutes into the action as
Soraya Puerto-Khalil sent a shot on frame that was saved, but Streberger was right there to redirect it past the keeper.
Utah Valley (2-0-0) knotted it at 1-1 just two minutes later until the 26th minute when the Wolverines were called for a handball in the box. That set up a penalty kick that Lodato knocked in giving the Titans a 2-1 lead at the half. However, it was all Utah Valley in the second half as the Wolverines racked up four goals on 20 shots to put the game out of reach.
Aug.15 – Detroit Mercy 1 at Bowling Green 3:
Justice Tillotson scored her first goal in a Titan uniform but it wasn't enough for Detroit Mercy fell 3-1 at Bowling Green in season-opening action on Thursday night.
Hailey Matthews connected on a corner kick in the eighth minute that bounced around in the box before being knocked in by Tillotson to make it 1-0. It remained that way until late in the first half, as BGSU knotted the game at 1-1 in the 41st minute. The teams went into the halftime break tied at 1-1 until the Falcons broke through in the second half with two goals.
The Team:
The 2024 season marks the 31st year of the women's soccer program.
Head Coach
Steve Shelton is in his sixth season with the program.
Movin' On Up:
Detroit Mercy was picked to finish eighth in the 2024 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll receiving 54 points. During the 2023 campaign, the Titans finished sixth after being picked to finish ninth.
Better Later Than Never to Prove Them Wrong:
With the Metro Series victory over arch-rival Oakland to conclude the 2023 regular season, Detroit Mercy qualified for the #HLWSOC Championship for the first time since the 2018 season as the No. 6 seed. Before the season, UDM was picked to finish ninth in the 2023 Preseason Poll receiving 40 points and moving up one spot from being picked 10th prior to the 2022 season.
