DETROIT (9-25-25) – After taking down 2025 #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay, the Detroit Mercy men's soccer team look to keep the momentum going with a league battle at Wright State on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live from Alumni Field at Rinzler Student Sports Complex on ESPN+.
A Look at the Raiders
• Wright State is 0-7-1 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
• WSU holds a 20-15-3 all-time mark against UDM, but the Titans are 3-0-1 over the last four meetings.
• WSU was picked seventh with 38 points and one first-place vote in the 2025 Under Armour #HLMSOC Preseason Poll.
Last Time Out:
Detroit Mercy Tops Green Bay in #HLMSOC Home Opener
Sept. 20, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs Green Bay 1:
Redshirt junior
Clayton Lafayette posted a goal and assisted on senior
Guershom Sylvain's game-winner while junior
Drew Pierson recorded a pair of assists on his birthday as Detroit Mercy secured a 2-1 win over Green Bay in their #HLMSOC home opener and Wreck-It Like Beckett Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Fundraiser Game on Saturday afternoon at Titan Field. This marked the first time the Titans defeated the Phoenix since 2019 and the first time at home since 2014. Redshirt junior
Quinn Tews picked up the win in his first start of the season, making four saves.
UDM (4-3-1, 1-1 HL) got on the board in the 23rd minute as Pierson dropped a beautiful cross into Lafayette as he got behind the last defender and flicked the ball past GB (3-3, 1-1 HL) goalkeeper Philip Oesterbaek for a 1-0 lead.
After redshirt freshman
John Palomino hit the crossbar in the 58th minute, the Titans broke through in the 71st minute as Lafayette sent in a long ball down the right side to Pierson. Pierson turned and once again delivered a pinpoint feed into the box, allowing Sylvain to let the ball bounce up to him before heading it into the net for a 2-0 advantage.
Lending a Helping Hand for a Good Cause:
• UDM's match vs Green Bay was also the Gold Out Game, where the team raised money to support the Wreck-It Like Beckett Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness.
• The foundation's name was inspired by Beckett's love for monster trucks, but even more by his heroic journey. The Fowlers say "Wreck It" comes from their mission to destroy barriers and challenges faced by families dealing with pediatric cancer.
Tews Gets the Call:
• Redshirt junior
Quinn Tews picked up the win in his first start of the season, making four saves in UDM's 2-1 win over #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay (9/20).
It's Been a While:
• When UDM defeated #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay, 2-1, it marked the first time the Titans defeated the Phoenix since 2019 and the first time at home since 2014.
• Detroit Mercy's 3-1-1 start was the best since the 2017 season.
• UDM's season-opening scoreless draw at No. 12 Dayton marked the first time the Titans earned a draw against a ranked team on the road since a 2-2 result at No. 16 Ohio State on Sept. 26, 2017.
Captain Clutch:
• Junior captain
Drew Pierson is tied for the team lead in points (6), goals (2), and assists (2).
• Ranks second in the Horizon League in game-winning goals (2), scoring consecutive game-winners from his defensive position against Mercyhurst and Butler.
• Recorded a pair of assists on both goals on his birthday in UDM's 2-1 win over #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay (9/20).
• His second game-winning tally came in a 2-0 win at Butler.
• His first-career game-winner was a 52-yard free kick strike in Detroit Mercy's 2-0 win over Mercyhurst.
ESPN SCTop-10 No. 1 Spot:
• Pierson's first career game-winning goal was a memorable one. He connected on a 52-yard free kick strike in Detroit Mercy's 2-0 win over Mercyhurst, which earned the No. 1 play on the ESPN SCTop-10 on Aug. 24, 2025.
Pierson Named Under Armour® #HLMSOC Offensive Player of the Week:
• Pierson was named Under Armour® #HLMSOC Offensive Player of the Week (9/2)
• Pierson scored his second consecutive game-winning goal in Detroit Mercy's 2-0 win at Butler, moving the Titans to 2-0-1 before a setback at MSU on Labor Day.
On the Board:
• Senior
Guershom Sylvain delivered the game-winner for his first goal of the season in the 2-1 victory over #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay (9/20).
• Redshirt junior
Zander Crooks, senior
Silas Rustin, and junior
Rex Pearce each recorded their first career goals in UDM's 3-0 win at Chicago State (9/5).
• Sophomore
Rafael Moro Galvez added his first career assist, while sophomore
Samuel Speen posted his second career assist at CSU.
Big Play Clay:
• Redshirt junior
Clayton Lafayette is tied for the team lead in points (6), goals (2), and assists (2).
• Scored a goal and assisted on senior
Guershom Sylvain's game-winner in the 2-1 win over #HLMSOC preseason favorite Green Bay (9/20).
• Posted points in two consecutive matches, recording his first goal of the season in UDM's 2-0 win at Butler and his first assist on the second goal in the 2-0 win over Mercyhurst.
Instant Impact:
• Graduate student transfer
Ryan Sommerfeld scored his first goal in a Titan uniform, assisted by Lafayette and the first career assist from sophomore transfer
Mano Karjian in UDM's 2-0 home-opening win over Mercyhurst.
• Karjian added his second assist at CSU (9/5).
Stackin' Up Clean Sheets:
• Sophomore goalkeeper
Colin Monroe leads the Horizon League in shutouts (4) after the Titans' 3-0 win at Chicago State (9/5).
• He posted three consecutive clean sheets, leading Detroit Mercy to a 2-0-1 record to start the season.
• Monroe and the backline did not allow a goal in 374:21 total minutes before surrendering the first goal of the season at MSU (9/1).
Monroe Says NO:
• Monroe ranks second in the league in saves (34) and saves per game (4.86).
• Made a career-high 10 saves at No. 18 Kentucky (9/9).
Monroe Named #HLMSOC Under Armour® #HLMSOC Defensive Player of the Week and TopDrawerSoccer Men's Soccer Team of the Week:
• To the victor go the spoils for sophomore goalkeeper
Colin Monroe. After being named Under Armour® #HLMSOC Defensive Player of the Week (8/25), Monroe was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Men's Team of the Week (Aug. 18-24).
• Monroe made 10 total saves, posting back-to-back shutouts to lead Detroit Mercy to a 1-0-1 record against solid competition.
• He had quite the homecoming as the Willoughby, Ohio native made a career-high eight saves to record his first-career shutout, leading UDM to a scoreless draw at No. 12 Dayton.
• This marked the first time the Titans earned a draw against a ranked team on the road since a 2-2 result at No. 16 Ohio State on Sept. 26, 2017.
• Monroe followed that performance, making two saves to record his first career win and second consecutive shutout between the pipes in UDM's 2-0 win over 2024 Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season champion Mercyhurst, who was picked to repeat as champions in the 2025 NEC preseason poll.
Battle Tested:
• UDM has played two nationally ranked teams on the road in No. 18 Kentucky (9/9) and posted a scoreless draw at No. 12 Dayton (8/21) to open the season.
Season Rewind:
Sept. 13, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Robert Morris 4:
Sophomore
Mano Karjian posted six shots with three on goal while sophomore
Johnny Strickler had a shot hit the post as Detroit Mercy fell 4-0 at Robert Morris in #HLMSOC opening action on Saturday afternoon at the North Complex. Junior
Drew Pierson had four shots with one on goal, while junior
Rex Pearce and senior
Louis Simon also recorded a shot on goal.
Sept. 9, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 0 at No. 18 Kentucky 4:
Sophomore
Colin Monroe made a career-best 10 saves while facing 19 total shots as Detroit Mercy dropped only their second road match of the season with a 4-0 setback at No. 18 Kentucky at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
Three Players Record First Career Goals as Titans Tame Cougars
Sept. 5, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 3 at Chicago State 0:
Detroit Mercy had three players score their first career goals in redshirt junior
Zander Crooks, senior
Silas Rustin, and junior
Rex Pearce as the Titans rolled past Chicago State, 3-0, on Friday Night at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.
Colin Monroe anchored the back line with his fourth shutout of the season, making two saves.
In the 22nd minute, senior
Mateo Phillips took the ball deep down the right side and sent in a cross into the box that went directly to sophomore
Samuel Speen. He hit a shot that was saved by CSU (0-5) goalkeeper Johan Morales, who could not contain the rebound, as Crooks pounced on the loose ball, firing it into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
In the 84th minute, Crooks was pulled down in the box, drawing a penalty kick. Rustin stepped up and delivered a strike to convert the penalty kick, moving UDM (3-1-1) ahead 2-0. Just five minutes later, the Titans converted on a counterattack as sophomore
Mano Karjian passed the ball up to sophomore
Rafael Moro Galvez, who hit Pearce on the fly as he got behind the last defender on a breakaway. Pearce then cashed in a tally with just 37 seconds left on the clock.
Sept. 1, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Michigan State 1:
After 374:21 minutes of shutout soccer and three consecutive clean sheets, sophomore
Colin Monroe surrendered the first goal of the season as Detroit Mercy battled but came up short, 1-0, at Michigan State on Labor Day at DeMartin Soccer Stadium.
Junior
Drew Pierson had UDM's (2-1-1) best chance near the end of the first half in the 43rd minute as he almost connected on yet another long-range free kick, but MSU (2-1) goalkeeper Zac Kelly saved his shot. After both teams entered halftime scoreless, senior
Guershom Sylvain almost got the Titans on the board in the 55th minute of the second half. He broke into the box one-on-one with the last MSU defender and flicked a low shot to the far right post past Kelly, but just missed in the lower 90.
Monroe and Pierson Lift Titans to Third Consecutive Shutout
Aug. 28, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 2 at Butler 0:
Sophomore
Colin Monroe posted his third consecutive shutout, making six saves, while junior
Drew Pierson notched his second straight game-winning goal off an assist from senior
Guershom Sylvain as Detroit Mercy blanked Butler 2-0 on Thursday night at the Sellick Bowl. Redshirt junior
Clayton Lafayette added his second career goal with an insurance tally in the second half.
Pearson opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, giving Detroit Mercy (2-0-1) a 1-0 lead going into halftime. After recording an assist during the last game against Mercyhurst, Lafayette added his first goal of the season in the 59th minute to seal the deal. The defense stood tall the rest of the way, keeping Butler (1-2) off the board to uphold the Titans' third straight clean sheet.
Pierson's Game-Winning Strike Lifts Detroit Mercy Over Mercyhurst
Aug. 24, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs. Mercyhurst 0:
Junior
Drew Pierson scored his first-career game-winning goal with a 52-yard free kick strike in the first half, while sophomore
Colin Monroe picked up his first career win and second consecutive shutout between the pipes as Detroit Mercy blanked Mercyhurst 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. Graduate student
Ryan Sommerfeld scored his first goal in a Titan uniform, assisted by redshirt junior
Clayton Lafayette and sophomore
Mano Karjian, late in the second half.
Monroe Shines with First Career Shutout as Titans Battle No. 12 Dayton to Scoreless Draw
Aug. 21, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 0 at No. 12 Dayton 0:
It was quite the homecoming for sophomore and Ohio native
Colin Monroe, who was lights out, making a career-high eight saves to record his first-career shutout as Detroit Mercy played a solid match, battling No. 12 Dayton to a scoreless draw on Thursday night at Baujan Field. This marked the first time the Titans earned a draw against a ranked team on the road since a 2-2 result at No. 16 Ohio State on Sept. 26, 2017.
Senior
Guershom Sylvain had the best chance for UDM (0-0-1) early in the game off a corner kick set piece in the sixth minute. Junior
Drew Pierson sent in a cross that went directly to sophomore
Evan Peleska just outside the top of the box. He sent in a pass to Sylvain, who took a shot and beat Dayton (0-0-1) goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki clean to the low right side, but it rang off the post.
UDM's defense was on point for the majority of the second half. However, Dayton had two one-on-one chances late in the game from Andrew Armstrong. In the 88th minute, he found space inside the box and ripped a shot, but Monroe challenged and cut off the angle to turn the ball away with a leg save. With just 14 seconds left, Armstrong broke free down the right side, moved into the box, and fired a low shot that Monroe stood tall making the save to preserve the shutout. Monroe's performance earned him Meijer Player of the Match honors.
The Team:
• The 2025 season marks the 38th year of the men's soccer program.
Follow the Leader:
• Head Coach
Nate Kopunek begins his third season at the helm of the program.
Home Grown Talent:
• Detroit Mercy has 20 student-athletes from the state of Michigan.
Around the Country:
• Detroit Mercy has five student-athletes from outside the state of Michigan in sophomore
Evan Peleska (Minnesota), along with four from the Buckeye State in graduate student
Ryan Sommerfeld (Ohio), redshirt senior
Ryan Sanborn (Ohio), and sophomores
Noah Sandahl (Ohio) and
Colin Monroe (Ohio).
International Flavor:
• The Titans have five international student-athletes representing four countries.
• Redshirt junior
Viktor Sulc (Czech Republic), sophomore
Rafael Moro Galvez (Peru), junior
Rex Pearce (Australia)
The French Connection:
• Incoming freshman
Tom Nkassa joins senior
Louis Simon as two student-athletes from France.
Returning Firepower:
• The Titans have 22 returners led by senior forward and 2024 #HLMSOC All-League Third-Team selection
Guershom Sylvain, who led the team in goals (7 – T-3rd HL) and points (15 – 6th HL).
• Junior captain midfielder and 2024 #HLMSOC All-League Second-Team selection
Drew Pierson finished tied for the team lead in assists (5 – T-3rd HL), and tied for second in points (11) and goals (3).
• Redshirt Junior Midfielder
Clayton Lafayette saw action in 15 games, posting his first career goal at CSU (9/21) and assist at Green Bay (9/14).
• Senior midfielder
Louis Simon started in 15 games, adding three points with his first career goal in a Titan uniform in a 2-0 win over WSU (10/26) and an assist in a 2-2 draw vs CSU (9/21).
Holding Down the Back Line:
• The defense will be anchored by senior captain
Spencer Powe, who appeared in 14 games with seven starts and recorded his first career assist against RMU (11/1).
• Senior captain
John Nino defender, also returns after posting three points with a goal and an assist for the second consecutive season from his defensive position.
Between the Pipes:
• Redshirt junior
Viktor Sulc made seven starts last season, recording his first win in a Titan uniform in UDM's 2-1 mark over MKE (10/12) while posting a career-high five saves at Notre Dame (8/22).
• Redshirt junior
Quinn Tews returns after appearing in eight games with five starts, making 14 saves with a 2-3 record, which included a shutout win over WSU (10/26) and a 5-1 win over EIU (8/26).
Newcomers:
• Detroit Mercy has a diverse group of eight newcomers, which includes five transfers in
Mano Karjian (IU Indy),
John Palomino (Centre College),
Rex Pearce (Hartford Community College),
Evan Peleska (UMKC), and
Ryan Sommerfeld (Ohio Northern).
• UDM has three incoming freshmen in
Aidan Buff,
Lincoln Floyd, and
Tom Nkassa, who will look to make an immediate impact.
Smart Cookies - UDM Earns United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award with Third-Highest GPA in the Nation
• The Detroit Mercy men's soccer team continues to demonstrate the program's commitment to academic and athletic success by earning the United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award for the 2024-25 academic year. The men's team posted an impressive 3.67 overall GPA to qualify for the 11th time, earning the third-highest GPA among Division I men's soccer programs.
Big Shoes to Fill:
• The Titans will look to replace the offensive firepower of
Josh Copeland who was drafted by the Colorado Rapids with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, becoming the first student-athlete in program history to be drafted in the first round, and the second to be drafted, following Adam Bedell who was taken in the third round (45th pick overall) by the Columbus Crew in 2014.
• Copeland started in all 17 games and was a 2024 #HLMSOC All-League Third Team selection, finishing tied for the team lead in assists (5 – T-3rd HL), and tied for second in points (11) and goals (3).
Time to Prove Them Wrong:
• Detroit Mercy was picked to finish ninth with 32 points in the 2025 Under Armour #HLMSOC Preseason Poll.
• UDM secured a spot in the 2023 #HLMSOC Championships after being picked to finish last in the 2023 Under Armour Horizon League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll.
