CHICAGO (9-5-25) - 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.

"Really proud of the full team performance tonight, and we appreciate the opportunity to challenge ourselves on the road against a tough opponent, " said Head Coach Nate Kopunek. "Everyone played a role in securing the win, and it's never easy to secure three points and a clean sheet on the road. It was also great to see three student-athletes score their first career goals."

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.

Detroit Mercy's five-game swing continues at No. 17 Kentucky on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m.

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