Flyers Get First Win of Season, Beat Bowling Green 4-3

DAYTON (OH) -- The Dayton Flyers notched their first victory of the season with a 4-3 triumph over Bowling Green Friday evening at Baujan Field. Dayton chipped in a pair of goals in each half to improve to 1-3-1 while the Falcons fall to 1-4-1.

Things started off with sluggish play from the home team while BGSU jumped out from the opening whistle with a strong work rate and better execution in the midfield. Bowling Green was able to generate possession and get forward early on, causing defensive problems for the Flyers -- especially in the middle third of the field where Falcon players ran unmarked with space to create. The defensive posture of the Flyers looked confused and unsure of what to do at times in order to steal possession and become the aggressor.

Bowling Green's persistence paid off in the 16th minute when a blatant hand ball in the Flyer box gave the visitors a penalty kick they easily converted. Down 1-0, Dayton finally got excited about the match and began working themselves back into the field of play.

Much of the turnaround came from the midfielders becoming more assertive for loose balls and 50/50's in the air. With the ball at the feet and space to attack for the first time all night, UD took advantage of the hard work by generating dangerous crosses in the Falcon box.

Those chances ended up paying off in similar fashion to BGSU. An infraction in the Bowling Green box gave the Flyers an opportunity to tie the match with a PK of their own. Peter Chilemena converted, knotting the match at 1-1 in the 31st minute.

Dayton slowly but methodically wrestled control of the last 15 minutes of the first half. More terrific crosses in the box proved dangerous, but were turned away with timely clears from the BGSU back line. They fell short in the 36th minute however when Alex Torda finished off a corner kick at the far post with a redirected header to give UD a 2-1 lead.

Hafltime stats were fairly even. UD led in shots 9-6 while corner kicks were two a piece.

Another goal early in the second half would probably salt the match away for the Flyers, but the Falcons answered first with a midfield two-on-one breakaway that was finished to perfection to tie the match at 2-2 just three minutes after the restart. It was anyone's match again and with BGSU feeling much closer to a quality result, the competitive nature of the game increased significantly.

Thankfully, UD answered quickly when Chilemena earned his second goal of the night in the 52nd minute by heading in a cross at the far post from the quality service of Sonny Renner. After the goal, things turned chippy as both sides dug their heels in. Bowling Green looked their best when going up the middle, while the Flyers had their best chances come from the wings with service into the box. The war of wills continued over the next 15 minutes until the Flyers increased the lead to 4-2 in the 77th minute with another far post finish, this time from the head of Jack Pearson. Pearson was so impressed with his goal he earned a yellow card for ripping his shirt off. So much for acting like you've been there.

BGSU cut the lead to 4-3 in the 81st minute with a finish at the six yard line, but it was too little and too late to affect the final outcome. Tommy Watkins picked up two yellow cards just 10 seconds apart -- one for a foul and one for apparent dissent -- that forced the Flyers to play a man short over the last six minutes. The Falcons pushed forward and had a bevy of chances in the UD box to find the equalizer, but timely clears by Dayton salvaged the first win of the season.

Stats remained even in the second half. UD finished the game with a 20-17 edge in shots while corner kicks were 7-7.

Overall, the run of play was good at times and lacking clear intentions during other stretches. The Flyers still look like a team in search of an identity. Chilemena came up big with a pair of goals, while defender Randy Dennis showed good form for most of the match. Dennis had a speed advantage on his side of the field and used it well to pick off balls or initiate overlaps into the offense. Alex Torda looked more involved than prior matches.

UD travels across town to Wright State on Sunday afternoon. Game time is 5pm.