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MSOC: Big 2nd Half Lifts UD over VCU 3-1
MSOC: Big 2nd Half Lifts UD over VCU 3-1
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
10-15-2022
Smile MSOC: Big 2nd Half Lifts UD over VCU 3-1

Coming off a 2-2 draw in earlier in the week at #2 Kentucky, the #22 Dayton Flyers returned home for another important A10 match against the VCU Rams and secured the hard-fought 3-1 victory on a cool October evening at Baujan Field. Three second half goals paced the Flyer scoring as UD remains undefeated and improves to 9-0-4 (3-0-3) while the Rams fall to 1-7-5 (1-1-3).

Sporting the candy-cane home jerseys, Dayton opened the match by exerting a preponderance of possession, utilizing triangle passing and direct service toward the touch lines to find some space for further creativity. While some quality possession was there however, offensive scoring chances were few and far between over the first 15 minutes. As the field got smaller, VCU's defense compacted nicely and prevented the Flyers from getting the clean open looks that typically lead to quality shots on frame.

Dayton gradually gained more control over the middle 20 minutes of the half as the Rams had trouble gaining meaningful possession for extended periods, relegating their best runs of play to quick counters in transition with thoughts of catching the Flyer back line out of position. UD's defense was solid however and had no trouble winning possession and restarting the offense with distros to the midfielders making runs back to the ball.

UD's best scoring opportunities involved combination passing at or inside the VCU goal box, often involving four or five players at a time attempting to find an open look on goal. Despite direct play, balls to the wings, or even weak-side service however, the Rams surrendered few quality chances and subsequently few Flyer shots altogether. Basit Umar had the best chance in the 32nd minute on a well-struck shot from distance that required a tip over the crossbar by VCU goalkeeper John Ermini. Samuel Owusu nearly found the net on a side volley at the 6yd line in the 42nd minute, but his shot missed just wide of the near post.

It was a dominating half based on run of play, but the first 45 minutes lacked purpose, urgency, and tactical awareness in the offense third of the field. The resulting half of soccer felt somewhat underwhelming with squandered opportunities despite the possession disparity.

UD dominated the stat sheet in the first 45 minutes, owning a 21-4 lead in shots, but shots on goal were just 3-1 to illustrate the quantity-over-quality dilemma plaguing Head Coach Dennis Currier's squad.

The second half was a chance to shed the mundane posture and re-establish precision and purpose in the Flyer attack that's made the UD offense one of the most potent units all season. It didn't quite start out that way over the first 10 minutes, but Jaden Jones-Riley gave Dayton a huge lift in the 52nd minute with a 25yd cross/shot to the far left post that caught the VCU defense unprepared. The well-struck ball put UD up 1-0 and suddenly Dayton's offense awakened.

Manny Day almost made the score 2-0 just moments later on a rocketed shot from distance that nearly went upper 90 were it not for a tip save to keep the ball out of the net. Jones-Riley's goal however changed the tenor of the second half in terms of UD's urgency to play fast, purposeful, and with a sense of urgency around the Ram goal box. Owusu just missed with a header to the near post after redirecting a Flyer cross at the 6yd line in the 63rd minute.

Forster Ajago put Dayton up 2-0 in the 83rd minute on a one-timer at the far post thanks to a beautiful weak-side cross from Ousseynou Cisse. VCU got a goal back just a minute later however when UD surrendered a free kick about 25 yds out. The cross in the box was redirected into the net from 6yds out to cut the lead to 2-1. The Flyers got it right back however in the 89th minute when Basit Umar rifled a shot from 25yds out to make it 3-1 and finish off the Rams for good.

Second half stats were in UD's favor: 17-6 in shots while corner kicks were two a piece. Overall shots were a staggering 38-10 but just 9-3 on frame.

The second 45 minutes produced four goals and wasn't nearly the snoozer the first half conceded. It wasn't Dayton's best effort over 90 minutes; despite the large stretches of possession and good buildup, purpose and execution in the around the Ram goal box was sloppy and problematic. When the dust settled however, the Flyer talent level was able to rise up and generate some collective and individual moments of brilliance to withstand the feisty VCU challenge and avoid the potential upset. The victory also keeps the Flyers in the hunt for the A10 regular season title (along with a bunch of other teams bunched together). Dayton also returned Michael Odedokun to tonight's match after being sidelined for several games due to injury.

The Flyers remain at home to host Saint Louis next Saturday, Oct. 22nd. Kickoff is 7pm.
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