Detroit 0-3.
Well, this one is going to sting. Detroit held an early 2-1 lead, but gave up a three-goal run to Bellarmine and never led again. The Titans kept the game close late into the third quarter at 6-5, but Bellarmine scored the first three goals of the fourth, and a last-minute Detroit goal only served to keep the score respectable at 9-6.
In my season preview for the Titans, I classified this game as a toss-up, and honestly, I expected Detroit to come away with the win, even on the road. Playing Ohio State close only upped that confidence, but at the end of the day, UDM will have to wait another couple weeks (4 weeks into their season) for their next realistic shot at a victory.
Tempo-Free
From the box score, here’s your tempo-free breakdown.
| Bellarmine | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine | Detroit | ||
| Faceoff Wins | 8 | Faceoff Wins | 11 |
| Clearing | 12-13 | Clearing | 9-14 |
| Possessions | 26 | Possessions | 26 |
| Goals | 9 | Goals | 6 |
| Offensive Efficiency | .341 | Offensive Efficiency | .231 |
In a very slow game, Detroit did very well at the faceoff X to level up the number of possessions despite some struggles in the clearing game.
HOWEVA, it’s the efficiency, stupid. Detroit’s defense was terrrrrrrrrrible, allowing goals on nearly 35% of Bellarmine possessions. The offense actually wasn’t too bad, but when your defense is going to struggle to that level, the offense needs to step it up to compensate.
Notes
As hinted above, Brandon Davenport performed pretty well on faceoffs (don’t forget, this Bellarmine team handled Michigan on faceoffs just a couple weeks ago), and I think he’s probably locked down the starting job there for the remainder of the year.
The Titans had their first multi-goal performer on the year, with attackman Shayne Adams netting a pair (on nine shots, for a .222 shooting percentage). Junior midfielder John Nowicki matched his point total by notching a goal and an assist.
It was a poor shooting day for several Titans, as Matt Gregson found the back of the net once in six shots, while Tim Lehto, Scott Harris, and Dennis Troy all went 0-fer on multiple shots. Harris at least put up an assist to partially make up for his 0/7 shooting day.
LSM Jordan Houtby tied a program record with 10 ground balls on the game.
AJ Levell made 7 saves while allowing 9 goals. I assume a big part of the blame goes on a porous Titan defense, but without seeing the game, it’s hard to say for certain.
Bellarmine’s 9 goals came on just 27 shots (.333) and Detroit took 33 shots to score 6 goals (.182).
Elsewhere
Detroit recap. Bellarmine recap. Box Score.
Up Next
Detroit serves as a sacrificial lamb at Maryland next Saturday at 1, before likely earning their first win of the season the following week in Pontiac against first-year program Mercer.