The Dayton womens soccer team can thank goalkeeper Steph Weisenfeld for the 2-1 overtime win at Baujan Field Sunday afternoon. After all, the pint-sized wonder came up larger than life on several occasions to help keep Dayton in the game — and with a chance to win it. That’s exactly what happened as Ingrid Zielke redirected a corner kick off her head and into the net just two minutes into sudden death overtime as the Flyers withstood a furious second-half from the Cal Poly Mustangs for their third win of the season (3-2-0).

While soggy weather kept many fans away from the game, those who attended saw one of the most competitive contests of the season. Cal Poly, recent winners over Cincinnati on the first leg of a two-game Midwest trip — the same Bearcat team that beat Evansville and the same Evansville team that topped Dayton — took charge from the opening whistle and made the Flyers run, run, and run some more. The Mustangs, fresh off a 2nd Rd NCAA Tournament showing in 1999, were sharp the entire game and pieced together outstanding pass combinations throughout the contest. While the Flyers were chasing, Cal Poly used pinpoint passes and accurate ‘through balls’ to streaking forwards who ran free like a, well — a Mustang. It didn’t take long as Cal Poly converted a corner kick just six minutes into the contest for the early 1-0 lead.

Dayton remained on its heels for the next 20 minutes, but the tide started to turn and the last 20 minutes of the first half belonged to the Flyers. Cal Poly hog-tied Missy Showtime Gregg for much of the game, double- and triple-teaming her at every chance. Still, the sophomore star created several excellent chances with her patented dribble penetration including two first half opportunities that — for Missy Gregg’s standards — should have probably been goals. But the Cal Poly goalkeeper came up big and the teams traded a couple more opportunities for the rest of the half.

With five minutes until halftime, Dayton got the ball inside the goalmouth as Bridget Bushman corralled the ball, made a nifty move on goal, and buried it in the net from 6yds out near the left goalpost as the Cal Poly keeper came charging. It was a goal the Flyers needed and it came at the perfect time. The half ended at 1-1.

Hoping the Flyers would storm out in the second half and take control, it was just the opposite as Cal Poly stepped it up and thoroughly dominated the home team. The Flyers looked lethargic while the Mustangs were as crisp as a cucumber, knocking the ball around with the precision of a Swiss watch. Cal Poly put on a late flurry in the last 15 minutes of the game as they assaulted the Flyer goalmouth with crosses, shots, dribble penetration, and free kicks, but none were good enough to beat Stephanie Weisenfeld as the sophomore goalkeeper single-handedly extinguished three bona-fide Mustang goals with brilliant goaltending all around.

Megan McKnight took advantage of Weisenfeld’s efforts by striking two well-struck free kicks that sailed just high of the crossbar for a pair of chances that ended up as the best opportunities of the second half. Though Cal Poly continued to win the loose balls and headers, Dayton bent but didn’t break and pushed the game into overtime.

To everyone’s relief, Ingrid Zielke redirected a corner kick just two minutes into sudden death overtime to seal the win and improve the Flyer winning streak to three games.

It was an ugly victory, and Dayton got outplayed for most of it, but it’s still a win and was an important ‘hump game’ — getting the Flyers over .500 for the first time this year. Cal Poly is a strong opponent and though Dayton didn’t give their best effort, it’s a victory that should help this team stay on track and find a rhythm as the season progresses. Considering Dayton dropped an earlier home contest to Evansville and Cal Poly ‘daisy-chained’ a victory over the Purple Aces in light of their win over the UC Bearcats, the coaching staff should feel good about beating a squad that will win a lot of ball games this season.

Though the field players struggled, goalkeeper Steph Weisenfeld was as sharp as nails and continues to amaze. The diminutive last line of the Flyer defense is small in size but large in ability and is quickly becoming the heart and soul of the team. While Missy Gregg gets most of the attention, it’s Weisenfeld who is barking orders, shouting encouragement, and rallying the team when things deteriorate. Though she’s the smallest player on the field, no one else commands as much respect as the 5’3” pocket rocket, which is why she earns the UDPride Player of the Game.

Dayton travels to Ohio State on Sep. 15, for an in-state battle with the Buckeyes. OSU fields a strong team and will be a stiff test, especially if Dayton remains sluggish, but the Flyers know how to play well and realize that nobody left on the schedule has more talent. The Buckeyes have solid victories over Syracuse, Florida State (who beat Florida 4-0 on the road), and #12 Missouri, but recently dropped a 3-1 contest to Washington. The Huskies have wins over #2 Santa Clara and a solid Michigan club.