The Basics
Score: Detroit 0, Valparaiso 0 (2OT)
Records: Detroit 3-2-3, 0-0-1 HL, Valparaiso 2-2-2, 0-0-1 HL
Location: Titan Field (Detroit, Mich.)

DETROIT (9/19/2015) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team recorded its first shutout of the 2015 season in its Horizon League opener, playing visiting Valparaiso to a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon. A windy, cloudy day at Titan Field yielded to an offensive struggle between both sides for much of the match.

Detroit is 3-2-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the Horizon League after Saturday's result. Detroit is unbeaten in its last four matches (3-0-1), all of them coming in the last nine days. Saturday's game was the fourth overtime game overall for Detroit this season.

Detroit sophomore Spiro Pliakos finished with a game-high five shots, while senior goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher picked up his 15th career shutout and first of the season in net for the Titans.

How It Happened
• Valparaiso had the first three shots on the contest, but the first shot on goal didn't come until the 21st minute of the contest when Deven Mason's shot was denied by Steinwascher.
• Nathan's brother Spencer Steinwascher had a good look on net just minutes later, but his shot was turned away by Valparaiso keeper Nico Campbell.
• The Titans heightened their offensive pressure in the second half, out-shooting the Crusaders in the second 45 minutes. Detroit had two corner kicks just before the end of regulation, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities.
• In the first overtime, Pliakos earned a free kick opportunity just outside of the box and sent his kick on net, but a good save was made by Campbell. Pliakos follow-up attempt was blocked.
• Later in the first overtime session, junior Adam Clauss received a cross just in front of the goal, but his shot was sent right to Campbell.
• The offensive pressure was good in the second overtime period as well. Steinwasched made two of his four saves in the second overtime, session, the first on a hard shot by Valparaiso's Jacob Gandarilla.
• Bowman earned a free kick chance about midway through the second overtime, but Campbell was able to punch away Bowman's curving shot on goal.
• Steinwascher made a great save in the last minutes of the contest, knocking away a chance by VU's Jordan James, who had an open look on net.

Leading the Titans
• Pliakos finished the game with five shots, two of them being on goal, to lead the Titans.
• Steinwascher played all 110 minutes in net, facing 13 Valparaiso shots and turning away all four shots on net.
• Bowman had three shots for Detroit, all of them coming after halftime.
• Mendonca had a season-high two shots for the Titans.
• The Detroit defense earned its first shutout of the season in the first league game of 2015.

Stat of the Game
4 - Senior goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher made four saves in net, including two big ones in overtime, to help preserve the draw for the Titans.

Inside the Box Score
• Detroit trailed Valparaiso in shots at halftime, 5-3, but outshot the Crusaders the rest of the way, 12-8, to earn the shot advantage overall, 15-13.
• Detroit and Valparaiso were tied with 10 shots and five corner kicks apiece after regulation. The Titans had five shots in overtime.
• The Titans received both of the yellow cards in the contest, while also receiving the most fouls by a 16-11 margin.
• Eight different players had shots during the match for Detroit.

Titan News & Notes
• Steinwascher earned his 15th career shutout and first of the season for the Titans. He had four shutouts last season during Horizon League play.
• Detroit has given up one or fewer goals in seven of its eight matches this season.
• The Titans equaled a season-high with 15 shots. Detroit has reached that plateau three times in 2015.
• Detroit has tied in two of its three games at home this season. The Titans are 0-1-2 this year at Titan Field.

Up Next
After four matches in nine days, the Titans are off competitively for six days and next play Saturday, Sept. 26 against new Horizon League opponent Northern Kentucky at Titan Field. It's the second of three-straight at home as Detroit then welcomes Western Michigan into Detroit for a Sept. 30 clash with the Broncos.

Prior to its match on Sept. 26 against NKU, Detroit will host its annual alumni game at Titan Field. For more information on the game, contact Steve Corder at corders@udmercy.edu.