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WSOC: UD Survives SJU 2-1 in OT; Reach A10 Semis
WSOC: UD Survives SJU 2-1 in OT; Reach A10 Semis
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
11-06-2014
WSOC: UD Survives SJU 2-1 in OT; Reach A10 Semis

The #3 seed Dayton Flyers did just enough on a cold, blustery, and rainy Thursday evening at Baujan Field, surviving and advancing to the A10 Tourney Semifinals with a hard-fought 2-1 OT victory over #6 seed St. Joseph's. UD avenges a 3-1 loss to the Hawks in Philadelphia during the regular season with a game-winner from Erin O'Malley in the 96th minute, and will face #2 seed VCU Friday evening. The Flyers and Rams tied 1-1 last weekend to end the regular season.

Conditions were brutal for soccer as the climate nosedived into inhospitable conditions as the opening whistle blew. With temperatures in the low 40s, gusts over 20mph, and the wind-chill around freezing, the only thing missing was a drizzle spitting sideways -- but not to worry as that happily arrived later in the second half. As the match commenced however, the Flyers overcame the elements and created their own thermal wave with a hot start.

It didn't take long for Dayton to get active in the offensive half of the field, all of this despite fighting a steady head-wind that played havoc with high balls in the air. To UD's credit, they kept things more localized on the turf at every opportunity, knocking the ball along the touch lines to players stretching the width of the field. Sophomore Meghan Blank worked the left flank and found success getting past her defender with the dribble-drive, while Ashley Campbell worked up top with runs more direct on goal.

Those direct runs by the A10 First Teamer paid off early. Campbell called her own number on a ball in the central attack, fighting and winning a loose ball and eventually carrying forward with pace. After beating a pair of trailing defenders, she poked a shot past the SJU goalkeeper to put the Flyers up 1-0 in the 9th minute. It was a superb piece of unassisted individual skill that exploited Campbell's long strides and ability to get behind the last defender.

Things were looking great, but things stopped looking great just three minutes later when the Hawks found room in the offensive third -- enough space for Emily Gingrich to take her time and line up a shot from 25yds that flew over the mitt of GK Heather Betancourt and caromed off the underside of the crossbar. The shot bounced down but the linesman deemed the ball across the goal line before Betancourt punched out the rebound, knotting the score at 1-1.

Dayton nonetheless did well to maintain a dangerous attacking posture after the re-start, overcoming the wind to find players running into free space. Freshman Alexis Kiehl got loose on a number of occasions and had at least two quality chances inside the box to give the Flyers the lead, but an errant shot and an excellent save by the goalkeeper snuffed those opportunities away.

In the central midfield, O'Malley, Libby Leedom, and Nicole Waters were tasked with winning 50/50 balls and kick-starting the offense. Their best work came when switching the ball weak-side, either by using the back line to 'swing the gate' or with balls threaded to forwards running toward the corner flags.

Defensively, St. Joseph's was opportunistic on quick counter-attacks and at times the Flyers had a challenging time keeping track of marks in the final 35 yards. Hawk players had several prime looks at the net inside the width of the 18 yard box -- some beyond the box and some well within it. While the organization was shaky at times, UD did just enough to keep the most dangerous moments from turning ugly.

At intermission, UD owned an 8-5 lead in shots and 4-3 edge in corner kicks. The Flyers now had a chance to find shelter, get warm, and look forward to having the wind at their backs in the second half.

Over the first 25 minutes of the second half however, the wind was not much of a factor as the run of play evened out. The Flyer back line was very efficient at times when collecting balls and moving forward with quality distribution. At other times however, the marking remained highly problematic and Hawk players poaching on the weak side were left unattended. Too often, long balls sent their way found the feet of SJU forwards beyond the far-side Dayton defender getting pinched too tight.

Beaten from long-range in the first half on a shot she probably should have tipped out of danger, Betancourt made up for it as the second half continued, coming off her line several times to challenge beyond the goal mouth by using sliding tackles to erase otherwise certain Hawk goals. SJU also challenged her from long distance, but she came up huge once again with a diving save near the right post to keep the match tied.

Dayton broke out of the second half malaise with about 20 minutes remaining in regulation and began to take firmer control of the run of play. Over time they forced SJU into a defensive bunker and earned several goal kicks or free kicks that resulted in balls placed inside the mixer. Some of those chances were more like half-chances, while others were golden opportunities from 10 yards in. The Flyers couldn't find an open seam on any redirects on frame however as the Hawks got bodies in the box to close the holes.

With under 10 minutes left in regulation, Waters pulled the trigger from long-range and almost cashed in, but tip saves over the crossbar kept the Hawks alive. The Flyers ultimately piled up a sizable 16-7 advantage in second half shots -- including a decisive 6-1 domination at the corner flag -- but nothing found the back of the net. UD's best chance came with just a minute remaining on a ball inside the six yard box. Even with a clean, uncontested look however, UD popped it over the crossbar to push the match into extra time.

The first overtime favored Dayton despite switching sides and once again battling the stiff wind. With the sudden death nature of extra time, the first mistake or first demonstration of perfect execution would ultimately decide the game. Thankfully, UD executed and the Hawks could not defend it when Waters slotted a perfect ball to O'Malley making an off-the-ball run directly in front of the box. Hitting her in stride, O'Malley took a couple touches after receiving the pass, cleared her defender, and placed a shot just inside the lower right post that beat SJU GK Allison Ebling as she started to crab-walk out of her net. The game-winner came in the 96th minute and punched UD's ticket to the A10 Semifinals on Friday.

Campbell was a tough mark for St. Joseph's all night, while O'Malley and Waters threw their weight around in the middle third to win loose balls and distribute. Up top, Blank was productive in the first half while Alexis Kiehl was dangerous for the entire match, showcasing excellent ball skills, pace, and assertiveness in the UD offense. The Flyer back line once again fought their own demonic possession at times, surrendering free space, open looks on their own net, and losing marks entirely. At other moments however, they came up huge with a handful of key tackles on shots on goal. Betancourt had her best 45 minutes of the season in the second half and without her big saves the Flyers would not have advanced.

All told, it wasn't a well-executed match by either team, but it was hard-fought in harsh conditions and both sides gave themselves an honest chance to advance.

UD battles VCU in the second match of a Friday semifinal doubleheader at Baujan Field. The winner advances to the A10 Championship on Sunday afternoon against the winner of the other semifinal pitting #1 LaSalle vs. #4 George Washington.























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