DAYTON (OH) -- A goal in each half proved to be the difference as the Dayton Flyers outlasted the
Richmond Spiders in a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Baujan Field. Winners of two in a row for the first time in 2011, UD improves to 3-11 (2-2) while UR falls to 2-10-1 (1-3). With the win, Flyer Head Coach Dennis Currier became the all-time UD leader in coaching victories (66).
With both teams sporting just two victories this year, it was a golden opportunity for one side to take advantage and do something meaningful to salvage the season. The Flyers demonstrated decent form shortly after kickoff and worked the ball around with sustained possession in the middle third of the field. Likewise, the Spiders had possession and free space of their own, moving forward through the midfield with a solid work rate to counter Dayton's defense.
Doing the most damage for Dayton in the early minutes was sophomore Andres Acevedo. Showcasing his usual hustle and willingness to challenge every ball, Acevedo won possession 30 yards out and won it again with a strong tackle inside the box at the left baseline. A third effort to play the ball while on the ground from the previous tackle resulted in a perfect cross in front of the net. Ryan Lyn easily put the chance away for the 1-0 Flyer lead in the 17th minute. Lyn got the goal, but Acevedo did all the work -- the kind of work most players choose not to perform.
Over the last 30 minutes of the half, both sides jockeyed for command, but that never happened as the match remained competitive both offensively and defensively.
In Dayton's favor was another strong half of tackling, 50/50 challenges, and emphasis on playing balls on the ground. Keeping the ball out of the air was especially important on Sunday as strong winds disrupted long balls and played tricks with punts and clears out of the box. Offensively, the Flyers had some quality chances in front of the net but couldn't cash in despite tallying 15 first half shots. The Spiders countered with just six shots and were out-cornered 5-1.
Richmond pieced together a better second half and much of that resulted from playing with the wind at their backs. In the back line, Dayton fell more impatient and tried to play long balls as the wind held much of the service up.
The Flyers fell victim to a midfield counter in the 66th minute that Richmond executed to perfection. Using a dummy run at the ball, UR allowed the pass to continue to the weak side of the field, freeing up a forward to challenge directly on goal from 40 yards out. A nifty cut inside to beat a Dayton defender in the box opened up enough room for Sean Baker to slot a ball to the lower far post and past the out-stretched arms of GK Alec Storm.
With 25 minutes left and the match tied 1-1, the next goal would probably win the game. Both sides had chances to tally the potential game winner, but the defenses for both teams were well organized and turned away free kicks or won challenges in the box.
Richmond made a costly mistake in the 81st minute that Dayton capitalized on for the 2-1 lead. Defender Jack Pearson played a long ball out of the back but the wind held the service up in the Spider penalty box. UR goalkeeper Thomas Hand mis-judged the ball in the air and let the run of play slip past him. Greg Enstone cleaned up the mess with a shot from 5yds out to tally the game-winner.
The Spiders pinned Dayton into a defensive bunker over the last 10 minutes -- much of it due to the windy conditions favoring Richmond. But UD did just enough to hold on for their second victory of the weekend.
Overall stats favored UD with a 24-14 result in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Andres Acevedo had another strong match and continues to be the "it" player in terms of hustle and energy. Michael Deyhle suffered a gruesome collision in the middle of the second half that split his forehead in two and spewed blood everywhere. He left the game and did not return.
The level of play and execution by the Flyers was once again better than usual, though the back line continues to cough up possession with overly-ambitious long balls without a purpose or clear target. More patience will continue to improve UD's chances over the rest of the season.
UD hits the road for a pair of matches next weekend against St. Joseph's and
Temple.
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