INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - IU Indy (5-7-3) secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Detroit Mercy (5-8-2) in a tightly contested NCAA soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Carroll Stadium. The winning goal came from Jose Antonio Herrera in the 85th minute, breaking a 1-1 deadlock that had persisted for much of the match.
Drew Pierson opened the scoring for Detroit Mercy in the 39th minute, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. IU Indy responded through Stan Klaver, who found the net in the 44th minute after receiving an assist from Noah Kummrow. The match remained deadlocked until Herrera's late winner in the closing minutes.
The first half saw IU Indy controlling much of the possession, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Nathaniel Isom tested the Detroit Mercy defense with a low shot in the 10th minute, while Jose Antonio Herrera had a close attempt in the 16th minute that went just wide. The home side's pressure was evident in their shot selection, with Owen Parrish and Bali Esquivel both seeing blocked attempts in quick succession around the 12th minute mark.
Detroit Mercy made tactical adjustments in the second half, with head coach making three substitutions at the 45-minute mark, removing Mateo Phillips, Ryan Sanborn, and Mano Karjian. The visitors showed improved attacking intent, with Clayton Lafayette forcing a save in the 75th minute. The match's decisive moment came when Herrera broke through the Detroit Mercy defense for the winning goal, capitalizing on tired legs in the Detroit backline.
The statistical breakdown reflected the match's competitive nature. IU Indy outshot Detroit Mercy 15-11, with both teams recording four shots on target. The visitors held an advantage in corner kicks (9-3), while IU Indy's aggressive play resulted in five yellow cards, including cautions to Owen Parrish (39'), Noah Kummrow (62'), Nathaniel Isom (67'), and Stan Klaver (85').
Several players stood out with notable performances. Stan Klaver was particularly influential for IU Indy, not only scoring but also creating several chances throughout the match. For Detroit Mercy, Drew Pierson showed excellent positioning for his goal, while John Nino provided a strong presence in midfield, though he picked up two fouls in the first half.
The tactical battle saw IU Indy favoring a possession-based approach, utilizing the width of the field through Bali Esquivel and Jose Antonio Herrera. Detroit Mercy countered with a more direct style, particularly effective during their strong spell early in the second half when they created several set-piece opportunities.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for IU Indy, who had suffered consecutive losses to Bellarmine and Northern Kentucky in their previous matches. For Detroit Mercy, the defeat extends their winless run to three games, following a draw with Oakland and loss to Cleveland State.
The match ultimately turned on IU Indy's ability to maintain their composure despite accumulating yellow cards, with Herrera's late strike proving the difference in a closely fought contest. Both teams showed moments of quality, but it was the home side's persistence that eventually broke down Detroit Mercy's resilient defense.
Looking ahead, IU Indy will aim to build on this momentum when they host Cleveland State on October 31, while Detroit Mercy faces a quick turnaround with a visit to Michigan on October 28.