DETROIT (10-2-26) – The Detroit Mercy men's soccer team resumes #HLMSOC play with a trip to the Badger State for a showdown at Green Bay on Sat. Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast live from Festival Foods Field at Aldo Santaga Stadium on ESPN+.

A look at the Phoenix:
• Green Bay is 2-5-3 overall and 1-1-2 in HL play after a scoreless draw against RMU (9/26).
• Last season, GB finished 9-7-2 overall and 5-3-1 in HL play. The Phoenix tied PFW (2-2) but lost in penalty kicks (4-3) in the semifinals.
• UDM leads the all-time series 14-13-9.
• Green Bay was picked to finish second in the 2026 Under Armour #HLWSOC Preseason Poll with 95 points.
 
GB Rewind:
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.
 
Last Time Out:
Sept. 29, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 1 vs. Western Michigan 1:
Junior Johnny Strickler scored his team-best fifth goal of the season off an assist from John Palomino as Detroit Mercy recorded a hard-fought 1-1 draw against in-state rival Western Michigan on Tuesday night at Titan Field. Junior Quinn Tews faced 20 shots, making a season-best five saves, none bigger than a penalty kick save in the first half.
 
The first half was a defensive battle until Western Michigan (2-6-2) was awarded a penalty kick after a VAR review in the 32nd minute. WMU's Kyle Pierson, the twin brother of senior Drew Pierson, stepped up and fired a shot to the low left side, but Tews stood tall and made a diving save, keeping the Broncos off the board.
 
Detroit Mercy (2-6-2) then got on the board in the 42nd minute as Palomino took the ball deep down the left side and sent in a cross into the box where Strickler connected on a header, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead at the half.
 
UDM held on to the lead for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Unfortunately, Pierson was booked a second yellow card, resulting in a red card in the 61st minute, leaving the Titans to play a man down the rest of the way. Just 38 seconds later, WMU took advantage, scoring the equalizer to draw even at 1-1. The Titans were able to tally two more shots offensively the rest of the way, but Tews was solid, making two more clutch saves down the stretch to preserve the draw despite being short-handed.
 
Mitchell III Named Under Armour® #HLMSOC Offensive Player of the Week:
Detroit Mercy men's soccer sophomore forward Thero Mitchell III was named Under Armour® #HLMSOC Offensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday.
 
Mitchell III, a native of Bothell, Wash., connected on a breakaway game-winning goal in the 80th minute, giving Detroit Mercy a 2-1 win over Purdue Fort Wayne, handing the Mastodons their first loss in #HLMOSC play.
 
Johnny on the Spot:
• Junior midfielder Johnny Strickler leads the team in goals (5 – 3rd HL) and ranks second in points (10 – 3rd HL), posting two goals in a game twice this season.
• Scored team-best fifth goal of the season in a 1-1 draw vs. WMU (9/29).
• Notched two goals in the 2-2 draw at Mercyhurst (9/1).
• Scored both goals in UDM's 2-0 win at St. Thomas (8/20) to secure the Titans' first season-opening road win since 2020, earning #HLMSOC Under Armour® Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Thero is En Fuego:
• Sophomore Thero Mitchell III leads the team in points (9 – 4th HL) while ranking second in goals (3– T-9th HL) and assists (3 – T-3rd HL).
• Scored second goal of the season against RMU (9/9).
• Recorded third assist in UDM's 2-2 draw at Mercyhurst (9/1).
• Made the most of his UDM debut, assisting on both of Detroit Mercy's goals in their 2-0 shutout at St. Thomas to secure the Titans' first season-opening road win since 2020.
• Mitchell III scored his first goal in a Titan uniform off a feed from junior Samuel Speen at Dayton (8/28).
 
Pierson on Point:
• Senior Drew Pierson leads the team in assists (4 – T-2nd HL) from his defensive position.
• Assisted on both of UDM's goals against RMU (9/9).
• Recorded his first assist of the season on the first goal at Mercyhurst (9/1) and his second assist against Duquesne (9/5).
 
All You Kadiu:
• Freshman Daniel Kadiu scored his first career goal late in the game against Duquesne (9/5).
• Recorded his first career assist in a 2-2 draw at Mercyhurst (9/1).
 
Splendid Speen:
• Junior Samuel Speen ranks third on the team in assists (2) from his defensive position.
• Assisted on the game-winning goal in the 80th minute with a deep long ball feed from his defensive position, giving Detroit Mercy a 2-1 win over Purdue Fort Wayne, handing the Mastodons their first loss in #HLMOSC play.
• Anchored the backline that held PFW scoreless in the second half, securing UDM's first #HLMSOC win of the season.
• Posted his first assist of the season at Dayton (8/28).
 
On the Board:
• Junior John Palomino recorded his first career assist in a 1-1 draw vs. WMU (9/29).
• Freshman Nick Kamugunga scored his first career goal off the first career assist from freshman Michael Berry against RMU (9/9).
• Graduate student Clayton Lafayette posted his first goal of the season with the equalizer late in the game against Adrian (8/24).
 
1996 Throwback 30th Anniversary:
• During halftime of the homecoming game vs PFW, UDM welcomed back the 1996 team for the 30th anniversary of the program's first MCC championship and NCAA championship appearance!!
• CLICK HERE to relive the Titans' historic run to glory.
 
Lend a Helping Hand for ChadTough:
The Detroit Mercy men's soccer team raised awareness and vital funds for the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation for their Gold Out Game against Duquesne (9/5). ChadTough is dedicated to inspiring a game-changing surge in research for DIPG—the deadliest form of pediatric brain cancer. Every dollar we raise pushes us closer to a cure and brings hope to families fighting this devastating disease. Together, we can change the game for kids facing brain cancer.
 
Detroit Mercy Sweeps Under Armour® #HLMSOC Player of the Week Awards:
• It was a clean sweep for the Detroit Mercy men's soccer team as junior midfielder Johnny Strickler was named Under Armour® Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week and junior goalkeeper Colin Monroe was named Under Armour® Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday (8/24).
 
• Strickler, a native of St. Joseph, Mich., recorded four points, scoring both goals in Detroit Mercy's 2-0 shutout win at St. Thomas, securing the Titans' first season-opening road win since 2020 and also handing the Tommies their first home loss after going undefeated (4-0-4) last season at South Field.
 
• Monroe, a native of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, posted his second consecutive season-opening shutout, making one save behind the backline that didn't allow a shot on goal until the final minute of the game.
 
Smart Cookies - Men's Soccer Earns United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award with Top-25 GPA National Ranking
• 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 2025-26 academic year. The men's team posted an impressive 3.57 overall GPA to qualify for the 12th time, tying at No. 22 among Division I men's soccer programs, which also ranked first among #HLMSOC teams.
 
• A total of 338 men's soccer programs (across three NCAA divisions) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 2025-26 academic year.
2026 Under Armour #HLWSOC Preseason Poll:
• Detroit Mercy was picked to finish ninth in the 2026 Under Armour #HLWSOC Preseason Poll with 37 points.
• 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.
 
The Team:
• The 2026 season marks the 39th year of the men's soccer program.
 
Follow the Leader:
• Head Coach Nate Kopunek begins his fourth season at the helm of the program.
 
Home Grown Talent:
• Detroit Mercy has 21 student-athletes from the state of Michigan.
 
Where You From?:
• The Titans also have six student-athletes from outside the state of Michigan.
• Ohio (3): Junior Colin Monroe, senior Ryan Sanborn, junior Noah Sandahl
• Indiana (1): Freshman Sawyer Beachy
• Minnesota (1): Junior Evan Peleska
• Washington (1): Sophomore Thero Mitchell III
 
International Flavor:
• The squad also has two international student-athletes.
• France (1): Tom Nkassa
• Colombia (1): Sebastian Sanchez

Season Recap:
Titans Take Down Purdue Fort Wayne on Homecoming
Sept. 26, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne 1:
With members of the 1996 MCC Championship 30th Anniversary team in attendance, sophomore Thero Mitchell III connected on a breakaway game-winning goal off a long feed from junior Samuel Speen in the 80th minute, giving Detroit Mercy a huge 2-1 #HLMSOC win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Homecoming Saturday at Titan Field. Junior Mano Karjian also scored his first goal of the season in the first half.
 
Detroit Mercy (2-6-1, 1-2 HL) took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute as Karjian took the ball deep down the left side, made two sweet moves to elude a pair of defenders, and ripped a shot into the right corner.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne (4-3, 2-1 HL) came right back with the equalizer in the 23rd minute. However, PFW received a red card in the 34th minute and had to play a man down for the rest of the game.
 
In the 43rd minute, the Titans looked to take advantage as freshman Nick Kamugunga had a great chance to put the Titans ahead before the half, but his shot rang off the crossbar, keeping the game level at 1-1 at the break.
 
Mitchell III got behind the defense on a breakaway, but his shot just missed over the crossbar in the 73rd minute. Just seven minutes later, Mitchell III would not be denied as Speen sent in a long feed down the right side to him. He got the ball behind the last defender, made a move past the PFW goalie, who came off his line to challenge, and slid the ball into the back of the net for the game-winner.
 
Sept. 15, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 0 at No. 20 Notre Dame 4:
Graduate student Clayton Lafayette posted a shot on goal as Detroit Mercy fell 4-0 at No. 20 Notre Dame on Tuesday night at Alumni Field. The game was delayed in the 70th minute and was later called off due to lightning and rainy weather conditions in the area.
 
Graduate student Zander Crooks and junior Johnny Strickler also recorded a shot each for the Titans (1-6-1). Notre Dame (4-1-2) wasted little time taking a 1-0 lead just 41 seconds into the game. UDM's defense settled in and kept ND at bay until the 37th minute when the Irish got a second tally for a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.
 
Just 1:46 into the second half, the Luck of the Irish came to reality as graduate student Gio Covelli fired a clear attempt inside the box, where the ball deflected off Lim Evan's leg at point-blank range and went backwards into the net, giving ND a 3-0 lead.
 
After Notre Dame added another goal for a 4-0 advantage, UDM had its best chance to get on the board in the 65th minute as Lafayette got the ball in space just outside the box and fired a long-range strike to the low right side where the ND keeper made a diving save.
 
Sept. 12, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 0 at Cleveland State 2:
Sophomore Thero Mitchell III posted a shot on goal while sophomore Tom Nkassa and junior Evan Peleska recorded two shots each as Detroit Mercy fell 2-0 at #HLMSOC defending champion Cleveland State on Saturday night at Krenzler Field.
 
Junior Mano Karjian and sophomore Lincoln Floyd also added a shot each to round out the seven total for the Titans (1-5-1, 0-2 HL). The game was a defensive stalemate over the first 30 minutes until CSU (2-3-1, 1-1 HL) got on the board in the 31st minute to take a 1-0 lead at halftime.
 
The Vikings added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute for a 2-0 advantage in the second half. UDM posted four shots overall in the second half but couldn't get on the board to cut into the deficit.
 
Sept. 9, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 2 vs Robert Morris 5:
Freshman Nick Kamugunga scored his first career goal off the first career assist from freshman Michael Berry, while sophomore Thero Mitchell III added his second tally of the season as Detroit Mercy fell 5-2 to Robert Morris to open #HLMSOC play on Wednesday afternoon at Titan Field. Senior Drew Pierson also assisted on both goals, giving him a team-best four on the season.
 
Robert Morris (4-1-1, 1-0 HL) wasted little time taking a 1-0 lead just 12 minutes into the game. The Colonials added back-to-back tallies in the 32nd and 35th minutes to take a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.
 
After RMU moved ahead 4-0 in the 55th minute, Detroit Mercy (1-4-1, 0-1 HL) kept fighting and finally broke through in the 59th minute. Pierson made a great individual effort to elude a defender and fire a cross into the box, where Mitchell III buried it with a header.
 
However, the Colonials answered right back just two minutes later. In the 84th minute, the Titans executed a corner kick goal to perfection as Pierson sent in a cross into the box to the far post, where Berry headed the ball back over to Kamugunga, who put it home back of the net.
 
Sept. 5, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 1 vs Duquesne 2:
After falling behind 2-0, Daniel Kadiu scored his first career goal late in the game off assists from graduate student Spencer Powe and senior Drew Pierson, giving Detroit Mercy a chance. However, the comeback fell short as the Titans couldn't get the equalizer, falling 2-1 to Duquesne on Saturday afternoon at Titan Field. Junior Colin Monroe made three saves while facing 14 total shots.
 
Detroit Mercy (1-3-1) had their best chance to get on the board in the first half in the 19th minute when sophomore Thero Mitchell III ripped a shot from just outside the box that the goalie made a diving save, just tipping the ball over the crossbar. UDM couldn't put home the ensuing corner kick as graduate student Spencer Powe's header from the cross was off the mark. 
 
Both defenses were on point for a majority of the half until Duquesne (3-0-2) got on the board off a breakaway in the 42nd minute to take a 1-0 lead at halftime. In the 87th minute, Pierson passed the ball over to Powe, who slotted it over to Kadi. He, in turn, took off down the left side, dribbled into the box, and fired a shot past the keeper to the left, cutting the deficit in half at 2-1. After the kickoff, the Titans continued to press the attack, but the Dukes were able to clear the ball down the field as time expired to remain undefeated on the season.
 
Stickler Adds Pair of Goals as Titans Notch Draw at Mercyhurst
Sept. 1, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 2 at Mercyhurst 2:
For the second time this season, junior Johnny Strickler posted two goals, with the first coming off the first career assist from freshman Daniel Kadiu along with senior Drew Pierson and the second from sophomore Thero Mitchell III, giving Detroit Mercy a 2-1 second-half lead. However, Mercyhurst got the equalizer late in the 88th minute to escape with a 2-2 draw on Tuesday afternoon at Saxton Stadium.
 
Most of the first half was scoreless until Mercyhurst (1-2-1) got on the board late in the 42nd minute to take a 1-0 halftime lead. Detroit Mercy's (1-2-1) offense jumped into high gear as Pierson got the ball back off a throw-in and sent a long cross from the right side into the box. Kadiu won the ball in the air and headed it over to a streaking Stickler, who got in between two defenders and put the equalizer home at the 66:06 mark.
 
Just 50 seconds later (66:56), UDM forced a turnover, and Mitchell III was off to the races on the counter, making a long run down the right side. He beat the last defender and slotted a pass into the box where Stickler was once again Johnny on the spot, with the finish in space giving the Titans a 2-1 lead.
 
Aug. 28, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 1 at Dayton 5:
Sophomore Thero Mitchell III scored his first goal in a Titans uniform off a feed from junior Samuel Speen as Detroit Mercy dropped their first road contest of the season with a 5-1 setback at Dayton on Friday night at Baujan Field.
 
Dayton (2-1) wasted little time getting on the board, connecting on a goal just 8:24 into the game. The Flyers added a second tally in the 16th minute, moving ahead 2-0.
 
After Dayton took a 3-0 lead in the 36th minute, the Flyers were assessed a red card just 10 minutes later, having to finish the game with 10 men. The card set up the best first-half scoring opportunity for the Titans with a free kick from approximately 25 yards out. Speen took the shot but was just off the mark, leaving UDM trailing by three goals at half.
 
In the second half, Dayton added another goal to take a 4-0 lead in the 57th minute. UDM kept fighting and finally cashed in just a minute later as the Titans kept the ball in off a failed corner kick clear by the Flyers. Speen sent in a beautiful cross from the right side into the box where Mitchell III nailed a half-volley laser into the lower left side.
 
Aug. 24, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 1 vs Adrian 2:
Graduate student Clayton Lafayette posted his first goal of the season with the equalizer late in the game, but it was not enough as Detroit Mercy was stunned by visiting Adrian, 2-1, in home-opening action on Monday night at Titan Field. 
UDM (1-1) dominated in corner kick opportunities 7-0, and outshot Adrian 15-4 overall.
 
In the 27th minute, the Bulldogs struck first with a long-range rocket volley into the upper 90 off a header clear attempt for a 1-0 lead.
After trailing at the half, the Titans pushed the pace and controlled possession for a majority of the second half. Detroit Mercy cashed in on a corner kick in the 82nd minute as Lafayette headed in a loose ball from a service into traffic inside the box for the equalizer.
 
However, the game would not stay square for long as Adrian picked the perfect time to hit on a counter, which led to a breakaway game-winning goal in the 84th minute.
 
Strickler Scores Two Goals as Titans Blank St. Thomas to Secure First Season-Opening Road Win Since 2020
Aug. 20, 2026 – Detroit Mercy 2 at St. Thomas 0:
Junior Johnny Strickler connected on a pair of goals off feeds from sophomore Thero Mitchell III as Detroit Mercy shut out St. Thomas, 2-0, to secure the Titans' first season-opening road win since 2020 on Thursday afternoon. Junior Colin Monroe posted his second consecutive season-opening shutout, making one save behind the backline that didn't allow a shot on goal until the final minute of the game. UDM's victory also handed the Tommies their first home loss after going undefeated (4-0-4) last season at South Field.