LAS VEGAS – Spiro Plaikos' goal in the 81st minute spurred Detroit to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Cal State Fullerton on Friday afternoon at Johann Field on the campus of UNLV.
The Titans (0-3-2) are competing in the UNLV Nike Invitational and gave up the game-winner with under 10 minutes to play in regulation as Pliakos received a through ball from the right side served in by Matt Harkema, slotting his shot past Titan goalkeeper David Rodriguez Elias.
Rodriguez Elias played the second half in goal, making his first appearance of the year after Jeff Salt made three saves and allowed one goal in the first 45 minutes. Rodriguez Elias also made three stops between the posts.
The Titans scored first as Ritchie Gonzalez provided a clever pass in the box to Marc Fenelus, who was able to beat Detroit goalkeeper Nathan Stein Wascher in the 33rd minute.
But just before the half, the Titans surrendered the equalizer to Detroit (2-2-0) as Jason Leslie's header delivered from Matt Ybarra's free kick evened the game at 1-1 in the 42nd minute.
Cal State Fullerton outshot Detroit 22-16, and the Titans held an 8-4 advantage on corner kicks.
Fullerton completes play in the UNLV Nike Invitational at 4 p.m., Sunday, playing 14th-ranked UMBC.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton and Detroit are now even in the all-time series at 1-1…the Titans are winless in their first five games for the first time since 2010.