DAYTON (OH) -- Senior Florian DeCamps got the party started and finished off the five-goal afternoon for the Flyers as the home team dispatched of Robert Morris 5-0 in the second match of a Sunday doubleheader at the Dayton Flyer Courtyard by Marriott tournament. UD improves to 5-2-1 while the
Colonials fall to 1-5-1.
It was a perfect afternoon for soccer as the weather Gods offered up plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s. The Flyers didn't disappoint the relatively light but appreciative crowd of 375 fans as they inundated the RMU goal mouth with numerous shots, crosses, headers, through balls, and hustle. Perhaps the prettiest goal of the year -- or in several years -- came in the 6th minute when junior Alex Torda tagged a cross from 35yds out near the right side that found DeCamps in the box. DeCamps was marked both fore and aft but Torda's long ball was well placed, leaving his teammate in position to flick a header from 15yds over the out-stretched hands of RMU goalkeeper Matt Felice. Both the cross and header were perfectly struck, allowing UD to take advantage of an early 1-0 lead to tighten the clamps and break RMU's spirit before halftime.
Dayton had great pace and anticipation in the first half, winning loose balls with well-timed step-ups and headers. Even better, UD did something with the possession -- counter-attacking with numbers while the Colonials were caught flat-footed and unorganized.
The RMU disorganization was a re-occurring theme. Much of the first half felt like UD had 12 or 13 field players on the pitch as Dennis Currier's team continued to win balls and put pressure in the attacking third. The hard work paid off again in the 24th minute when sophomore defender Tommy Watkins flicked a Joe Olwig corner kick to the far post for a 2-0 lead. Isaac Kissi would add the third goal of the first half by finishing off a Randy Dennis cross from the left touch line that found him camped directly in front of the goal mouth for the easy tap-in.
Robert Morris was fortunate the score wasn't more lopsided by intermission. They had no answer for the 6-4 DeCamps, who used his size in the attack to win balls and shield possession until teammates added support. Several high-level one-touches off his boot or chest set up volleys from long distance that nearly found the back of the net as well. Teammates identified his strong play and targeted DeCamps as often as they could, especially when he hustled on counter-attacks to run free along the left side.
The Flyers owned a commanding 16-3 advantage in shots on goal in the first half, while adding eight corner kicks along the way.
The second half was much like the first, though the Colonials demonstrated better effort in the first 15 minutes after the restart. RMU won a handful of loose balls in the middle third of the pitch and found players moving forward in space. UD's defense -- who otherwise had a strong performance -- lost a mark or two and gave RMU a chance to find the net from long distance. Goalkeeper Tyler Picard was never seriously threatened however and after the short flurry, Dayton once again regained complete control of the match.
Quality possession and combination play that were lacking against Marshall on Friday evening were readily apparent on Sunday even when the outcome was all but determined. A strong performance by the midfield including Ben Murray and Zach Weiss frustrated RMU from start to finish. That frustration yielded a fourth goal in the 73rd minute when Josh Albers cleaned up a ball from 5yds out put UD up 4-0. Five minutes later, DeCamps added his second goal of the afternoon with another header from 8yds out. Ben Murray and Alex Frenz were credited with the perfect set-up that found DeCamps eagerly awaiting the feed.
All told, UD outshot RMU 26-9 and out-cornered them 12-2. It was a lopsided victory based on lopsided talent and execution. It remains to be seen how many games the Colonials win this year. Their gamesmanship lacked cohesion, and the coaching staff remained silent on the sidelines all afternoon -- perhaps indicative of their own low expectations. That said, the Flyers performed at a high level and received contributions from all over the field. One-touch soccer and quick play were some of the best fans have seen all year. DeCamps had a career effort, narrowly missing on four or five goals in the field of play -- including a deadly free kick from 22yds out that sailed high in the first half. If he can keep pace and maintain the level of soccer, he will receive conference and regional recognition by season's end.
UD takes on SIU-Edwardsville on Friday evening at Baujan Field. Kickoff is 7pm.
DeCamps' Effort Silences Robert Morris 5-0
Linear Mode
