NEW ARTICLE: Flyers Fall to Badgers 3-1

DAYTON (OH) The rough and tumble Big-10 demeanor of the Wisconsin Badgers wore down UD in a 3-1 victory over the Flyers Friday evening at Baujan Field. Dayton falls to 3-1-0 on the season while the Badgers -- fresh off a victory over #23 Washington last weekend -- improves to 3-1. Dayton is now 0-10 all time against Wisconsin.

First things first: Wisconsin is a quality team with better size, speed, and talent. In a 10-game series, the Badgers probably win seven or eight. That said, Dayton struggled all evening in the hot, dead air of Baujan Field to apply the kind of fight and resistance UD soccer fans have taken for granted.

UD lacked a spark from the opening whistle and something was missing. The issues plaguing UD's chances in the match weren't relegated to one or two large points of contention, but an amalgamation of small and repetitive miscues that, taken as a whole, resulted in death by a thousand paper cuts.

Wisconsin, like most Big-10 opponents, sported a couple extra inches and 15 more pounds at most positions -- nothing unexpected as UD is well-versed in competing against BCS programs. Dayton seemed overwhelmed by the size and speed however and never truly countered in a way Dayton is known for.

The Flyers didn't find a groove in the first half as UW won a majority of the loose balls both in the air and on the ground. They also did a great job of overlapping on the wings, resulting in open players streaking along the touchline for passes into open space.

Dayton's defense began to chase the ball as the first half continued, looking a step slow and indecisive whenever challenges for the ball materialized. Combined with hospital balls in the midfield, poor clears, and poor goal kicks, the turnovers forced Dayton into a defensive posture.

To UD's credit, they kept fighting and managed to keep the match scoreless in spite of the lack of possession. Another poor giveaway in the midfield however turned deadly in the 17th minute as the Badgers turned the ball on goal and chipped goalkeeper Katherine Boone for the 1-0 lead. Neither the giveaway nor goalkeeping were to typical UD standards, resulting in a soft goal against.

In spite of the run of play, Dayton nearly found the back of the net twice on offense. Both were on free kicks from long distance (Emily Kenyon) that required top-level saves from Badger goalkeeper Michele Dalton. Against another opponent, the Flyers might have been up 2-1 at halftime. Dayton got lucky as well defensively, allowing a Badger striker to cut inside and fire a shot off the near post. All told, the first half ended with the Flyers holding a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal and 2-1 edge in corner kicks. The misleading boxscore did not reflect the overall run of play.

The second half was a turn for the worse. Hoping to come out with renewed energy after the re-start, UD fell victiim to the same bugaboos that plagued the first half -- only they were more prevalent and frustrating as the miscues piled up.

Wisconsin controlled much of the possession and dominated between the goal boxes, winning nearly all of the loose balls, headers, and step-ups to force UD into more chasing. Wisconsin took full advantage with crisp passes to teammates while Dayton gave away too much possession with weak passes that were easily picked off. The lack of pace on the ball happened both on offense and defense. And when UD controlled the ball, impatience led to many passes or long balls without a purpose. A potential 2-0 deficit had a nail-in-the-coffin feel to it, so it was imperative for Dayton to score the next goal.

Wisconsin's strong play earned them a 2-0 lead (and ultimate game winner) in the 64th minute on a near post header by Laurie Nosbusch. The Flyers responded just two minutes later on a brilliant dribble-drive and finish toward the near post by freshman Kelsey Smigel. Once again a one-goal match with 25 minutes remaining, the Flyers were suddenly back in the game.

The Badgers closed the door however in the 74th minute on a long ball over the Flyer defense. Nikki Greenhalgh beat two Flyer defenders on her own and slotted a ball past a charging Boone to make it 3-1 and effectively stick a fork in things. The goal was a microcosm of the run of play -- UD getting out-muscled for the ball even with a numbers advantage.

Dayton had a handful of other chances near the UW box, but Wisconsin's goalkeeping and back line were sure-footed all night with strong clears and aerial defending. When UD did challenge, it was mostly from long range, ambitious, and oftentimes impatient.

For the match, UD outshot UW 20-10 and owned a decisive 8-2 advantage in corner kicks, but the boxscore doesn't tell the real story of how the match played out. Wisconsin threatened just as much, controlled the match tempo, and never looked like the squad forced to play above their pay grade. More polished, patient, and decisive, the Badgers played well and should challenge for a national ranking in the forthcoming polls.

Most frustrating was not the result itself, but the manner in which UD seemed dis-interested in large stretches to compete like the champion program from the A10. For the second match in a row, UD was out-muscled and out-hustled. While there's no getting around the fact that UD sports Middleweight bodies going up against the Heavyweight class of the Big-10, Dayton has built a tradition on playing beyond their specs. In UD's 3-1 loss to Virginia Tech in the 2009 NCAAs, Dayton battled their hearts out and played the match of their entire season. Had that effort been seen Friday evening, the Flyers would have won the match. Wisconsin is a very talented side, but Dayton did not bring their best.

UD's defense has demonstrated suspect form over the first three weeks of the season, unusual given that it's been a program calling card for more than a decade. The return of defender Kathleen Beljan was a positive sight, though she was limited to about 60 minutes and did not look 100%. The search remains for a central midfielder capable of winning loose balls. Without a physical presence between the 18s capable of tossing bodies around and playing the role of aerial Queen, turnovers will remain problematic.

Goalkeeping has also been frustrating. The Flyers need to get better play in between the pipes.

It was also an uncharacteristic off night for junior forward Colleen Williams. She was largely ineffective, had trouble winning loose balls, and suffered from the first-touch yips.

There is good news despite the loss however and that's the continual improvement of freshman forward Kelsey Smigel. The former prep All-American from Walsh Jesuit HS is quickly turning into one of the better players on the team and perhaps the most dangerous in front of the net.

Smigel's goal was a textbook example of a player showcasing talent, instincts, and a purpose-driven attitude of knowing exactly what to do when given the ball at her feet. College soccer is littered with thousands of attacking players capable of creating bucket loads of scoring chances -- but few players know how to finish all that handiwork and actually make it count. Smigel has proven she doesn't waste opportunities and while her touches remain somewhat limited at times, she exudes quality every time her number is called.

Until Smigel pukes on the field and requires a bag of saline on the sidelines, I'd never take her out. When asked, "who's going to be the next Flyer star?", look no further. Her sister Alyson joins the Flyers in 2012.

UD has another tough match next weekend against Kansas. Hosted by Purdue, UD plays the round-robin winner/loser of the other match pitting the host Boilermakers against Cal State Northridge.