DETROIT (9-11-26) – The Detroit Mercy men's soccer team travels to the Buckeye State for a showdown at 2025 #HLMSOC defending champion Cleveland State on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.

A look at the Vikings:
• Cleveland State is 1-3-1 after a setback to Oakland (2-0).
• Last season, the Colonials finished 9-4-6 overall and 5-1-3 in HL play. The Vikings beat RMU and Oakland to win the 2025 #HLMSOC Championship and fell to Marshall in the NCAA Tournament first round.
• The UDM leads the all-time series 19-13-5.
 
CSU Rewind:
Oct. 18, 2025 – Detroit Mercy 0 vs Cleveland State 2:
Senior Louis Simon, sophomore Mano Karjian, and redshirt junior Zander Crooks each recorded a shot on goal, while redshirt junior Quinn Tews made five saves as Detroit Mercy put forth a valiant effort but fell 2-0 to Cleveland State in #HLMSOC action on Saturday night at Titan Field.
 
Cleveland State (5-2-5, 3-0-3 HL) took a 1-0 lead off a counterattack in the 15th minute. Detroit Mercy (5-7-2, 2-3-1 HL) had four corner kick chances in the game, with three coming in the first half, but could not capitalize to trail at the half.
 
CSU had 10 total shots in the second half, but Tews and the back line stood tall over the first 23 minutes. However, the Vikings finally broke through with their second tally in the 59th minute to take a 2-0 advantage. The Titans pressed the attack down the stretch and had two free-kick chances just outside the box, but were unable to get on the board.
 
Last Time Out:
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.
 
Johnny on the Spot:
• Junior midfielder Johnny Strickler leads the team and Horizon League in goals (4) and points (8), posting two goals in a game twice this season.
• He 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 and earning #HLMSOC Under Armour® Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Thero is En Fuego:
• Sophomore Thero Mitchell III ranks second on the team in assists (3 – 2nd HL) and ranks second in points (7 – 2nd 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 from his defensive position (4 – T-4th HL).
• 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).
 
On the Board:
• 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).
• Junior Samuel Speen posted his first assist of the season at Dayton (8/28).
 
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.

Season Recap:
Sept. 9, 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.