Leave sophomore Chris Rolfe a crack of daylight and you run the risk of getting scored upon with a small flick, redirection, or as fans saw on Sunday, a 360 degree spin move that looked like a play out of the Harlem Globetrotters playbook. Rolfe’s two goals on the day paced the Flyers past the Michigan Wolverines before a sun-soaked Baujan Field and an enthusiastic crowd who came to see the home team put away the school with arguably the most subway alums in the country. But even the subway Michigan fans who showed up couldn’t make up for Dayton’s hustle as the Flyers win their fourth straight and improve to 4-3-1 while the Wolverines fall to 3-4-1.

Michigan, winners over the Flyers a year ago in Ann Arbor, are one of the fastest rising teams in the Great Lakes region, much of it due to their recent varsity status after years as a club national power. Since the move up, Michigan has signed a number of top players in the country and have pulled off their share of upsets in the Big-10. Just a week ago they played highly-touted Penn State to a 1-0 game and demolished a solid Evansville squad 6-2 — the same Purple Aces team ranked #3 in the NSCAA Great Lakes region. But things were much different on Sunday.

The Flyers brought the heat from the opening whistle and looked fresh. Perhaps because of the absence of a Friday night game to rebound from, but most likely due old fashioned elbow grease. Michigan, who fields perhaps the tallest lineup the Flyers will face all season, had problems beating Dayton to the ball and couldn’t generate enough possession in the first half to take control. Midfielders Christian Porto and Tye Stebbins did a great job of winning loose balls and distributing to other players while the defense avoided major breakdowns when it was time to move the ball out of the back or clear it altogether. Denny Clanton and Dan Thomas were solid in the back and used their tough brand of play and fast feet to turn away most of the Michigan chances before they turned into shots on goal.

Dayton’s offensive fortunes once again came off the boot of Rolfe, who has turned into a scoring machine in the last four matches. Rolfe collected a ball in the 18th minute from 20yds out, shook off one defender, shook off another with a 360 degree spin move, and threaded a shot past the Michigan keeper that found the right corner of the net for the first score of the game. It was another demonstration of individual brilliance that will hopefully rub off on other attacking players as the season continues — and the Flyers will need it because Rolfe can’t carry the entire load.

Rolfe wasn’t done however and put the Flyers up 2-0 in the 32nd minute with a chip shot from 25yds out resulting from a flick over the Wolverine goalkeeper. Down two goals, Michigan was in serious trouble and it didn’t help that the Flyers were outplaying them as well. Dayton kept the foot on the gas and maintained the 2-0 advantage as halftime arrived.

Little changed in the second half and Rolfe once again took charge, nearly picking up the hat trick just minutes gone with a blast from 15 yards out from the left side that missed by just inches and caught the side netting of the Michigan goal. Dayton continued to push forward and looked for the foot of Sunday Isename on several occasions with long balls from the back, but Isename couldn’t keep himself onside and the linesman held up the offside flag at least a half dozen times.

It didn’t matter however because Dayton continued to win the loose balls and go hard for tackles. Freshmen Brennan Randquist and Dasan Robinson were tough to beat defensively and helped the Flyers keep the pressure off Flyer GK Jason Kurdziel who was seriously tested only a few times — most of them turned away with a punch of the ball. The 2-0 advantage was more than enough in the second half and Michigan never looked like they would (or could) tie it up and perhaps steal the match in overtime. Too much Flyer hustle was the difference.

Statistics were fairly even. The Flyers had 14 shots to Michigan’s 12, but the Wolverines had the edge in corners at 4-2. Considering Michigan’s strong week leading up to Sunday’s match, it was another solid showing for Dayton. After starting the year 0-3-1, the Flyers have won four straight and are losers of just one of their last six. The difference has been the boot of Chris Rolfe, a strong presence in the midfield, and better hustle all around for loose balls and headers. Defensive breakdowns have been few.

Defender Mike Nsien, issued a red card in the Denver match after collecting a pair of yellows, sat out the Michigan match but should be ready to go Wednesday when the Flyers take on crosstown rival Wright State at Baujan Field.