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Double Overtime Heroics For UD Men's and Women's Soccer
Double Overtime Heroics For UD Men's and Women's Soccer
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
10-11-2009
Smile Double Overtime Heroics For UD Men's and Women's Soccer

DAYTON (OH) -- The UD men's and women's soccer teams needed double overtime on Sunday afternoon to come up with key league victories and stay at the top of the A10 standings. The men scored the lone goal of the match in the 107th minute to top UMass 1-0, while the Flyer women needed the 109th minute to dispatch St. Louis 2-1. The men are now winners of seven in a row and improve to 7-3-1 (2-0). The women remained undefeated at 9-0-5 (5-0-1).

DAYTON 1 UMASS 0


Alex Torda's goal just before time expired clinched UD's victory over UMass in a rematch of the 2008 A10 Championship. But the real hero was Minuteman goalkeeper Chris Piekos who muffed Torda's shot at the goal line and let it slip through his hands to end the match. For nearly two hours of soccer leading up to the goal however, not much was settled.

Dayton and UMass started the game as relatively even counterparts and that theme carried on throughout the afternoon. As the Flyers played long balls toward the offensive third, UMass did a little more work on the ground, which posed a problem at times as the surface of Baujan Field showed deterioration after the quagmire on Friday evening. The play was not crisp by either team, but spirited nonetheless and highly competitive at each end of the field.

The Flyers had a couple of great scoring chances inside the box, but a finishing boot was never in the right place at the right time to redirect the ball into the net. UMass' defensive back line was terrific all afternoon and the most talented unit Dayton has faced at home this season. They frustrated UD at times and completely shut down the attack along the flanks, forcing the Flyers to pinch in and find something more direct.

At the other end, UD showed good form defending the net as well. As the half wore on, the run of play turned the match into a defensive struggle with neither side able to solve the others' back line. By halftime, UD doubled UMass on shots 8-4 and had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

The second half was much like the first. There was a lack of offense to entertain the fans, but the defensive struggle provided just enough tension to make the match interesting as the play continued. As things wore on, it became more and more evident that one goal would win the match and the first team to hit paydirt would hold the other team scoreless and salt things away.

Still, that breakthrough goal never came. Back and forth the match went as both teams tried to capitalize on one mistake or one act of individual brilliance to win the game. Regulation ended with UD continuing to hold an advantage on the stat sheet, but the Flyers looked gassed heading into extra time. Head Coach Dennis Currier elected to use one substitution all day -- Alex Torda -- and the lack of fresh bodies on the field became an issue as time wore on. While UMass used just five subs, it seemed to help just enough to allow them to put more pressure on the Flyer defense at the end of regulation and into the first overtime.

The second overtime wasn't looking great either. Both teams were almost wishing the match would end as an act of mercy, but Dayton caught a break with just three minutes left when Torda placed a shot from 18 yards out that looked routine at the near post. UMass goalkeeper Chris Piekos muffed the catch at arm's length height and let it slip though his fingers at the goal line. The ball fell into an empty net to end one of the most competitive and unusual matches of the season. Credit to the Flyers for taking a chance. UMass made one mistake all day and it cost them a victory.

In goal for the Flyers, Tyler Picard had another terrific showing. He was in the right place at the right time on every occasion and is looking more confident every time he plays.

UD hits the road next week for matches at St. Bonaventure and Duquesne.

DAYTON 2 ST. LOUIS 1

Mandi Back's goal in the 109th minute saved the day for Dayton as they remain one of the few unbeaten teams in the country. Despite giving up just their fourth goal of the season, the Flyer defense held tough and once again gave the offense a chance to win. In their seventh OT match of the year, UD won their second in extra time.

UD looked strong in the opening minutes and put quality pressure on the SLU goal. Lauren MacCormick played the role of target forward while Colleen Williams pushed her frame around in the offensive third as well. As Dayton moved the ball forward however, they had a difficult time getting shots on goal. The shots were there, but the accuracy was not -- a recurring theme in 2009. Still, UD showed good form and controlled most of the possession when it counted. On the other side, the Billikens had fewer chances in their offensive half. The Flyer back line once again remained strong and turned away scoring chances, especially those when they were short on numbers.

Colleen Williams got the Flyers on the scoreboard first with a great move along the left baseline in the 18th minute. Her shot slotted past SLU goalkeeper Hannah Perry at the near post to put Dayton up 1-0. Perhaps that goal would have to stand over the next 70 minutes as UD's offense continues to struggle scoring goals. At halftime, Dayton held on to the 1-0 lead and owned the stat sheet with a 7-3 advantage in shots and 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

The second half play deteriorated and the Flyers lost their energy after the restart. The forwards were unable to dig balls out up top, making the job that much harder for the midfield and defense. Could the Flyers post another shutout and continue their nation-leading goals against average? It was a lot to ask and the offense once again provided little help.

The Flyer defense finally cracked in the 53rd minute on a series of poor clears inside the penalty box. The Billikens pounced on a rolling ball from 15 yards out that gave UD goalkeeper Katherine Boone no chance to make a save. Now tied at 1-1, the next score would almost certainly win the match.

The Flyers looked lethargic however and didn't have a spark. When they penetrated the offensive third of the field, they peppered the UD Music Building with errant shots or missed out on other scoring chances altogether. Finishing remained problematic as it has all season and corner kicks were too short or low to give the ladies a chance in the mixer. By the end of regulation, Dayton dominated the stat sheet once again but were looking at overtime to find the game winner.

The first overtime was largely uneventful as neither side looked interested in ending the match. Fatigue looked like it was settling in and the teams were playing for a tie. Someone -- or something -- lit a fire under the Flyers in the second overtime however because the level of play exceeded the prior 100 minutes by leaps and bounds. An entirely new team took the field and dominated thoroughly, pinning St. Louis into a defensive bunker the entire time. As balls were played out, the Flyers stepped up and tossed them back into the box hoping for a friendly bounce or redirect. If any team had a shot to win, it was UD and UD only.

Time was running out however and the clock became the larger enemy. It took another flurry of action in the box with a minute left to give Dayton just the opportunity they needed. Mandi Back cleaned up a loose clear from 10 yards out with a bouncing shot to the right corner for the ultimate game winner. It was an important win for Dayton regardless of the ways and means and keeps them on pace with Charlotte in the A10 title chase.

Kathleen Beljan had another outstanding game in the back line and is probably the leading candidate for A10 Defensive Player of the Year. Boone was not challenged much in goal for the Flyers, but had to come out of the box on a couple of occasions to scoop up a race toward the ball.

The Flyers generated 22 shots to just eight for St. Louis and had a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks. Stats like these have not been uncommon all year. It's no secret that Dayton does not finish well near the box and must score goals based on generating a large quantity of chances. It must be frustrating for the players and coaches, but the defense continues to give UD a chance to win every night. After 14 matches, the Flyers have played well enough to win every game. As one of the last unbeatens in college soccer, Head Coach Mike Tucker's team still has a fighting chance at an NCAA at-large berth if they can clean house over the remaining schedule and get to the A10 Tournament finals. The margin for error remains slim as long as UD struggles to score, but the remaining A10 foes are clearly inferior sides. Dayton has a great opportunity to trade ties for victories over the next two weeks and beef up their NCAA resume'.

UD travels to St. Bonaventure and Duquesne next week. The Bonnies are coached by former UD assistant Manoj Khettry.
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