An own goal in the 55th minute was the difference as the University of Detroit(w) Mercy women’s soccer team fell 1-0 to Oakland University at Titan Field Tuesday afternoon.

 
After the Grizzlies (3-5-0) held the advantage in shots in the first 45 minutes the Titans were looking to regain control. UDM (2-5-1) stopped an Oakland advance and a pass back which was intended to allow the Titans an opportunity to set up a play bounced awry, rolling its way off the far post and over the line to give the visitors the lead.

 
Detroit played with a sense of urgency the rest of the way, tallying six of their nine shots in the match over the final 35 minutes, but could not sneak anything past Oakland goalie Shannon Coley who recorded six saves.

 
“It was a very winnable game for us,” said UDM head coach Mike Lupenec. “I felt that we had some good scoring opportunities but we just didn’t finish them the way we should have. Both sides had some good chances, and we just made a mistake and it cost us.”

 
Freshman Nina Carter (Clinton Twp., MI/Chippewa Valley) put all four of her shots on goal against the Grizzlies, while sophomore Alexandra Suschak (Brecksville, OH/Brecksville) and freshman Rebekah Dornbos (Midland, MI/Midland) each put a shot on goal.

 
Four different Oakland starters recorded three shots, and six players recorded shots on goal. The Grizzlies outshot UDM 19-9, but led only 8-6 in shots on goal.

 
With time winding down before intermission Oakland scored a breakaway, but sophomore goalie Joanna Hinde (Shelby Twp., MI/Eisenhower) got just enough of the ball to send it ricocheting off the cross bar and keep the score knotted at 0-0. Hinde recorded five saves in the game, while sophomore Madeline Franko (Dearborn, MI/Dearborn) saw her first action of the season in net and made a pair of saves.

 
“It was nice that we were able to get Madeline some work today,” Lupenec said. “She stepped in for her first action of the year and I think she met the challenge.”

 
Franko killed a breakaway for the Grizzlies when she slid in to knock the ball away from several yards outside the goal box.

 
Lupenec was pleased with the back line play of senior Alauna Pierce (Toronto, ON/Mowat), Alexandra Suschak and freshman Mary Leone (St. Clair Shores, MI/Lakeview) who effectively slowed Oakland’s offense.

 
He also pointed out the contribution of senior Trina Kochanski (Royal Oak, MI/Kimball) and junior Selena Stanski (Tecumseh, ON/St. Anne’s Secondary) who have been major catalysts for the offense.

 
“Trina and Selena don’t have any goals yet this year, but they’ve been doing a lot for our offense,” said Lupenec. “They’re our best offensive players and without them we wouldn’t have had the scoring chances we’ve had.”

 
After their quick trip back home, it will be a quick turnaround as the Titans will depart Wednesday morning for Honolulu where they’ll take on the University of Hawaii for a pair of games before returning to Detroit Monday. The two contests are part of the OHANA Hotels and Resorts Shootout, and will be held at 5:00 a.m. E.T. Friday and Saturday.

 
“I think it will be good to get away,” Lupenec said. “We’re going to play a pair of games against a good team, but we’ll also have time to refresh ourselves while we’re there, and I think it will be real good for team chemistry as we head into the most important part of our season, the conference schedule.”