DEFIANCE, Ohio - Brady Titsworth scored at 37:09 to lift Madonna University (8-3-4) to a 1-0 victory over Defiance College (OH) (2-11-3) on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Winsper Knoble in Defiance, Ohio. Haruki Onishi supplied the assist on the match's only goal.
The Crusaders generated the first shot on target at 15:30, when Lucas Schoenberger tested Defiance goalkeeper Rafael Gaino. Madonna's breakthrough followed a corner kick at 36:33, with Titsworth finishing 36 seconds later. The Crusaders carried the one-goal lead into halftime after outshooting the hosts 5-1 in the opening half.
Goalkeeper Afonso Henrique protected that advantage with two second-half saves. Henrique denied Henrique Wozniak at 53:20 on Defiance's first shot on target. After Titsworth forced another save from Gaino at 60:48, Henrique stopped Bernardo Buerger at 61:04 to keep Madonna in front. Henrique played all 90 minutes to complete the shutout.
Madonna continued creating chances, with Pedro Zucchi drawing a save at 73:03 and Jeshua Cubillos putting an attempt on target at 79:55. Tidiane Diop led the Crusaders with five shots, while Titsworth and Zucchi each put both of their attempts on goal. Madonna finished with an 18-5 shooting advantage, including a 13-4 edge after halftime, and led 7-2 in shots on goal. The result left the Crusaders unbeaten in conference play at 6-0-2, while Defiance stood at 0-5-2.
The closing minutes brought chances at both ends. Gaino stopped Diop at 86:54 before Diego Suarez sent Defiance's final attempt wide at 87:26. Zucchi tested Gaino again at 88:58, forcing the goalkeeper's sixth save and fifth of the second half. Diop then had an attempt blocked at 89:04 before sending the match's final shot wide six seconds later.
Madonna Men's Soccer will be back in action for their regular season finale on Saturday, October 24, 2026 when they welcome the Saints of Aquinas College to Livonia, Michigan for a 3:30 PM start time.
