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MSOC: Deja Vu Strikes Again as Late Goal Snuffs Out UD Win
MSOC: Deja Vu Strikes Again as Late Goal Snuffs Out UD Win
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
10-10-2014
Smile MSOC: Deja Vu Strikes Again as Late Goal Snuffs Out UD Win

Flyer GK Chris Froschauer had just stoned a George Mason penalty kick two minutes prior, and UD had only 30 seconds remaining in regulation to salt away a victory against the nationally-ranked Patriots. Much like the Valparaiso match however, things didn't go as planned.

UD surrendered a goal off a cross-and-header with 12 seconds left in the second half to thwart a potential 1-0 victory. After 20 minutes and two sudden-death overtimes, the match ended in a 1-1 draw under a cold and steady rain Friday evening at Baujan Field. UD's record now stands at 5-3-3 (1-0-1), while GMU moves on at 7-2-3 (0-1-1).

The first 15 minutes of the match were impressive as the Flyers took George Mason's best shots and responded even better with quality possession and forward movement upfield. Despite the slippery field conditions, Dayton knocked the ball around and found players getting forward along the touch lines -- especially after switching the ball weak-side to teammates creeping into the offense. The result of the quality soccer included crosses in the box and a bevy of corner kicks.

The consistent ball pressure gave the Patriots trouble defensively. Like most goals, persistence was key in Dayton's tally just 19 minutes after kickoff. Brian Richards cleaned up a Rafael Gamboa corner kick inside the six yard box with a flick into the net to put the Flyers up 1-0 and in great shape moving into the last half hour of the first half.

The last 20-30 minutes of the first half was more evenly played however. Mason found a better work ethic in the middle third of the pitch and the hard work paid off with much-needed possession they sorely lacked in the first minutes of the match. Conversely, UD had several more chances to add to their lead on fast-breaks or Mason defensive giveaways, but the Flyers were a step late to react and probably should have done better with their chances.

Still, halftime ended at 1-0 in favor of the Flyers and while they got outplayed over the latter parts of the first half, stats were fairly even with shots 8-8 and GMU holding a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.

Unfortunately, Dayton fell out of form in the second half. Losing their shape, unable to trap balls effectively, and a poor midfield presence resulted in the Patriots getting the decided advantage in run-of-play over the last 45 minutes of regulation. The failure upon Dayton to make any progress had less to do with talent and more to do with a deficient work-rate and catastrophically-poor first touches on the ball. At times, the Flyers looked like they were playing for the opposition given how often they were conceding possession with inexplicable unforced turnovers. The passing became such a liability that UD would have been better served playing keep-away from their own midfield.

Nonetheless, Dayton hung in there despite taking on added pressure in their defensive third as the second half continued. George Mason did the Flyers numerous favors with poor shot selection from long distance that resulted much-welcomed Flyer goalkicks. As the steady, light rain continued to drench the field, the surface turned more difficult to connect passes on. The Patriots overcame it much better than the Flyers however and did not give away nearly as much possession after securing the ball in their defensive half.

Mason continued to apply steady pressure inside UD's goal box with a handful of crosses and corner kicks. Each time, the Flyers were able to get a late boot on the ball to escape danger, but persistence is the lifeblood of soccer and fans weathering the soggy elements on the Baujan Field terrace could sense a George Mason equalizer on the horizon. Knock on the door long enough and the door opens.

GMU got their best chance in the 88th minute -- and at the time it was perhaps their final honest chance of the match -- when UD turned away a certain Mason goal with a deliberate handball on the goal line. A much-deserved red card was issued and with a pending PK to tie the match up and send it to overtime, things weren't looking good. Thankfully, Froschauer stoned the PK with a terrific diving save to the lower left post to protect UD's lead and snuff out Mason's last gasp of air -- or so it appeared. A man down, the Flyers just had to milk the remaining two minutes.

Unfortunately, Mason went the length of the field in the final 30 seconds, sent a cross into the box from the left side, and used a flick-header to beat Dayton at the far post with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation. It was a familiar ending; the Flyers gave up a game-tying goal against highly-respected Valpariso just days prior.

Second half stats favored Mason 11-5 in shots and 4-1 in corner kicks.

The teams played a pair of 10-minute overtimes but neither side could net the sudden-death winner. Playing 11 vs. 10, Mason had far more possession over the last 20 minutes of soccer and also the better scoring chances.

It was a match that Dayton should have won, the second time in two weeks a late goal has snuffed out a Flyer victory. While the Patriots were nationally-ranked and a tie is not a bad result, the way in which UD surrendered the victory leaves a bad taste in the mouth because they had it firmly in their grasp only to see it disappear. Again.

UD struggled over the last 75 minutes of soccer, especially MF Amass Amankona. Amankona, in excellent form of late, had trouble connecting his passes all night and the giveaways provided the Patriots with counter-attacking possession that put unnecessary pressure in UD's back line. Likewise, the Flyer forwards had trouble reacting to a few key GMU mistakes in the back line that might have yielded a cheap goal and 2-0 cushion.

Considering UD turned away a PK in the final two minutes only to surrender the late equalizer in the run of play, the 1-1 draw feels more like a loss all things considered. No one is going to feel sorry for the Flyers however, especially UD's next opponent.

Dayton travels to UMass next Friday as the A10 schedule continues.
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