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MSOC: Slow Start But Spirited 2nd half Lifts UD over Geo. Mason 4-0
MSOC: Slow Start But Spirited 2nd half Lifts UD over Geo. Mason 4-0
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
10-01-2022
Smile MSOC: Slow Start But Spirited 2nd half Lifts UD over Geo. Mason 4-0

The #19 Dayton Flyers men's soccer team remains undefeated in 2002 after a 4-0 victory over the George Mason Patriots on Saturday evening at Baujan Field. Manny Day scored seconds before intermission and UD added three more tallies after halftime to run away with the victory. The Flyers improve to 8-0-1 (2-0-1) while the Patriots fall to 2-7-0 (1-2-0).

The opening minutes of the first half were less amped than recent matches as the Flyers were more methodical on the ball and chose deliberate play as they pressed forward into space. GMU took the same approach and the first 10 minutes were largely a back-and-forth of possession and dispossession with neither side seizing much control. By the 15th minute however, UD exploited a few holes in the Patriots' defense by serving balls in the box that resulted in a pair of excellent scoring opportunities -- but nothing particularly dangerous on frame.

With increasing possession however, Dayton forced GMU to defend on their own side of midfield and relegate most of their own offense to individual counter-attacks that were snuffed out without much trouble by the Flyer back line. While UD maintained the better run of play however, few shots on goal materialized -- largely due to the lack of overall pace and wave of players pushing forward that fans have seen in past games when UD overwhelmed opposing defenses. Joseph Melto Quiah was targeted along the left touchline with long-ball service on several occasions, but he was unable to turn the corner for crosses in the box or shots on frame.

The Flyers got comfortable with the pedestrian pace and as the last 15 minutes of the half played out, the "happy feet" resulted in 4-5-6-touch soccer rather than the 1- and 2-touch approach that's made the Flyer offense so difficult to defend this year. Timing is everything however and UD cashed in with just five seconds left in the first half after Logan Brown sent a last-chance-to-beat-the-buzzer cross to the far post from 35yds out. Manny Day climbed the ladder and headed it inside the near post to give Dayton the 1-0 lead at intermission. The goal was especially important given the lethargic play of the first 45 minutes, but also a potential back-breaker for George Mason as they had to re-write their halftime speech on the doorstep of playing a nationally-ranked opponent to a scoreless tie after 45 minutes.

Halftime stats reflected the relative malaise. Shots were just 8-2 in favor of UD and only three of the Flyer attempts were on target. Corner kicks were 2-0.

Perhaps Day's buzzer-beater to close out the first half would energize the Flyers for a second half performance more indicative of the ceiling this team has demonstrated over the course of the year. As well as the first half ended, the second half restart was up to the challenge as Samuel Owusu cleaned up a push-save in the box from a rocketed blast from Umar Basit to give the Flyers a 2-0 cushion in the 47th minute. Suddenly the Patriots were in serious trouble and UD was firmly in command. With nearly the entire second half still to play however, it was an opportunity to focus on re-establishing the attacking style of play Head Coach Dennis Currier prefers.

Mission accomplished.

Jaden Jones-Riley called his own number in the 56th minute, winding up for a 30yd blast to the upper corner of the near post to give Dayton a commanding 3-0 advantage. The high-class strike left no doubt as soon as the ball left his boot, taking the patient off life support and relegating the remaining 35 minutes to points of emphasis and execution.

The run of play improved considerably as UD played more to their style of dynamic, creative, and assertive playmaking in the offensive half of the field. Quality 1- and 2-touch soccer emerged and off-the-ball movement was particularly good as GMU had trouble taking the ball away for extended stretches. The Flyers were also successful in tight areas where flicks, dinks, and overlaps broke teammates free and allowed the run of play to move forward into attacking positions. The sequences didn't necessarily generate shots on goal -- yet -- but the body of work was at its highest level of the match.

That changed when defender Xavier Zengue pushed the lead to 4-0 in the 79th minute on service from Forster Ajago. Zengue made a long run, collected inside the box, and slotted a ball to the back of the net from 15yds out that GMU goalkeeper Jake Langley had no real chance to stop. UD controlled the final 10 minutes and salted the match away to preserve the shutout.

Second half stats were 7-4 in shots, while corner kicks were 3-1.

The second half execution and performance was exponentially better than the first 45 minutes and once the Flyers sped up the run of play, pushed harder into the attack, and limited unnecessary touches on the ball, GMU couldn't keep up and eventually chase the game without any success. Once the Flyers grabbed a lower gear and hit the gas pedal, it was lights out. The first half was reminiscent of the match against St. Joseph's, a game the Flyers ultimately tied 1-1. When UD slows the pace and plays casual, they shackle their own best attributes -- speed, creativity, and work rate. When they stick to their strengths however as the second half against GMU illustrated, they are a tough team to solve.

Dayton hits the road for three-game trip to St. Bonaventure on Wednesday and Loyola Chicago on Saturday, followed by a huge matchup on Oct. 12 at #5 Kentucky that could decide Dayton's NCAA at-large fate. The Flyers must hold serve in the A10 at the very least, but a three-game sweep might jump the Flyers into a Top-10 ranking.
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