The Basics
Score: Detroit 2, UIC 2 (2OT)
Records: Detroit 3-2-8 (0-0-5 HL), UIC 6-4-3 (3-0-2 HL)
Location: Titan Field (Detroit, Mich.)

DETROIT (10/17/2015) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team used two second-half goals to pull even with UIC, and the Titans held strong defensively the rest of the way to earn their fifth-straight draw in Horizon League play. 

The tie was Detroit's sixth consecutive overall.

The Titans are unbeaten in their last nine matches (3-0-6) and haven't lost in nearly a month and a half. Detroit's last setback came against Jacksonville on Sept. 6. UDM (3-2-8 overall) is also just one tie away from matching the NCAA record for draws in a season (nine).

UIC had a 1-0 lead at the break and took a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Detroit came back, however, on goals by Don Nakashima and Spiro Pliakos in the second stanza. Nakashima found the back of the net  in the 61st minute, while Pliakos scored just 13 minutes later in the 74th minute.

How It Happened
• Pliakos burst down the left side and ripped a shot at net in the fifth minute, but Flames keeper Andrew Putna got just enough to deflect the game's first scoring chance just wide.
• Mendonca forced a turnover at midfield and found Pliakos, who sent a through-ball behind the UIC defense. Mendonca had a clear path at goal, but was tripped to draw a yellow card. The ensuing free kick was deflected by the Flames' defensive wall to keep the game scoreless in the 16th minute.
• The Flames early scoring chances were well defended, with the Titans recording a pair of blocks to force two errant tries.
• UIC got on the board in the 21st minute, however, after Manny Chavez received a cross from Max Todd and sent a header on net. Steinwascher made a terrific save on the initial shot, but the rebound went directly back to Chavez, who buried the shot to put the Flames ahead 1-0.
• Despite UIC outshooting the Titans, 11-4, in the opening frame, the Detroit defense held strong to keep UDM within striking distance at a 1-0 deficit.
• The Flames wasted little time getting into the action in the second half. In the 49th minute, UIC earned a free kick and used two quick touches from Max Todd and Joel Leon to find Thomas VIllamil, who sent a deflected header past Steinwascher for a 2-0 Flames lead.
• The Titans responded in the 61st minute on a Don Nakashima header. Jonathan Bohlman threw a long pass into the box, and the ball was continued on by Jason Leslie before Nakashima got Detroit on the board and within 2-1.
• Detroit kept the momentum following Nakashima's goal. Pliakos blasted a long shot from deep outside the box, and the ball snuck through traffic and into the bottom right corner of the net, tying the match at 2-2 in the 74th minute.
• Steinwascher made a critical save on a point-blank shot in the 87th minute.
• Nakashima had a great look in the 90th minute, but a sprawled out UIC keeper made a terrific save to keep the game tied and heading for overtime.
• Nakashima had Detroit's best look in overtime, but pushed a header just wide of the goal in the 93rd minute.
• Marco Alvarez had a shot on goal for UIC in the second overtime, but Steinwascher made his 10th save of the match to help secure the draw.

Leading the Titans
• Don Nakashima scored his second goal of the season off a header in the 61st minute.
• Spiro Pliakos had the game-tying goal in the 74th minute on a free kick. Nakashima and Pliakos each had three shots in the contest.
• Jonathan Bohlman and Jason Leslie each recorded assists for Detroit.
• Steinwascher tied his career high with 10 saves during the match.

Stat of the Game
2 - Detroit had two unanswered goals to tie the game and eventually earn a draw with UIC.

Inside the Box Score
• UIC led in shots during the contest, 25-13. The Flames had an 11-4 shot advantage during the first half and also had 12 shots on goal.
• The Flames also had a 3-2 advantage in shots during overtime.
• Detroit held the edge in corner kicks for the game, 6-4.
• Six yellow cards were issued during the contest with Detroit landing four.

Titan News & Notes
• Detroit is just one draw shy of the NCAA record of nine. The Titans have six-straight draws and have already established a school record for draws in a season.
• Nathan Steinwascher posted 10 saves in the match, tying a career high for the senior keeper. He had 10 saves during the 2013 season against No. 25 Cornell. It was also the fourth-straight match that Steinwascher posted four or more saves.
• Detroit's nine-match unbeaten streak is the longest since 2005.
• Pliakos' second goal of the season moved him into a tie for the team lead in points at eight. Tyler Moorman also has eight points this season.
• It's just the second time this season that Detroit has given up two or more goals.
• The Titans have now played in nine overtimes matches overall, including all six at home. Detroit is 0-1-8 in those nine matches.

Up Next
The Titans next play in their annual Metro Series match with rival Oakland on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Rochester. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start at the Oakland Soccer Complex.