A late-match penalty kick proved to be the difference Thursday evening in Detroit, as Valpo dropped a 2-1 decision to host Detroit Mercy in the season opener for both sides. Making her Beacon debut, Alyssa Thomas (Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee [Wright State]) scored her first collegiate goal to account for Valpo's tally.
 
How It Happened

• The Titans claimed an early lead on Thursday evening, as two-time First Team All-Horizon League honoree Abbey Lodato converted a direct free kick just outside the box in the fifth minute.
• It took less than seven minutes for the Beacons to counter, however. Tatum Coleman (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) sent a cross from the left into the box in the 11^th minute. On the other end waiting was Thomas, who headed the ball in just under the crossbar to level the match.
• With limited scoring opportunities for both sides, the match hits halftime tied at 1-1.
• The 1-1 scoreline was maintained through most of the second half until Detroit Mercy was awarded a penalty kick for a foul in the box in the 86^th minute. Lodato stepped up and completed her brace to give the Titans a 2-1 edge.
• Valpo pushed in the final minutes looking for the equalizer, but was unable to find it, as Titan goalkeeper Chantelle Symes made a pair of late stops.

 
Inside the Match

• Thomas' first-half goal was the first of her collegiate career and came in her first collegiate start. The sophomore had one assist in 17 appearances off the bench last season at Wright State.
• After making a total of 13 appearances off the bench and playing just 181 minutes in her first two seasons at Valpo, Coleman made her first collegiate start and delivered her first career assist while playing 57 minutes.
• Coleman was joined by senior Kennedy Hill (Austin, Texas/St. Michael's Catholic Academy) as a multi-season Valpo player earning her first career start, as Hill had 20 reserve appearances in her first three seasons leading up to Thursday.
• Alex Arnold (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield South [Western Michigan]) joined Thomas as transfers making their respective first collegiate start Thursday evening. Arnold appeared in just three matches last season, playing 23 minutes in her lone season of action at WMU.
• A total of six Beacons made their first collegiate start on Thursday, as a pair of true freshmen got the nod in the starting XI in their collegiate debuts — Lily Printz (Fishers, Ind./Mt. Vernon) and Hannah Seiler (Orlando, Fla./East River). Seiler joined Ashley Trippeer (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) as the only Valpo field players to play the full 90 minutes.
• Four more rookies made their collegiate debuts off the bench Thursday evening — Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central), Martha Goddard (London, England/Alleyns School), Ashley Harvatin (Lake St. Louis, Mo./Timberland) and Brylie Walos (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead).
• The Titans ended the match with an 8-6 advantage in shot attempts, but all six of Valpo's attempts were on frame versus just three for UDM.
• Thursday's regular season opener came on August 14, three days earlier than the previous earliest season opener in program history — the 2012, 2018 and 2023 sides all kicked off their respective campaigns on August 17.

 
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
"As we build this squad, we learn a great deal every day, and the squad has responded really well. I'm pleased with the way the group came out today and responded to the early goal."
 
"I thought our back line did well today. If you look at the run of play during the game, we only gave up six shots during that time, and only one on goal."
 
"I think we have work to do still in continuing to build in the attacking third, but to get six shots and all six on goal is good - now just have to get more clinical in front of goal."
 
"This early in the season, it's about our team growing and developing, and tonight gave us lessons — lessons on what we did really well, and lessons on what needs improving. These are experiences we need to become a better program and a better team this season, and for that, I'm thankful for these experiences because it's really what will prepare us for what happens later this year."
 
Next Up
Valpo (0-1-0) closes out its two-match Michigan swing on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. CT at Oakland.