Late-game dramatics once again told the story for the UD mens soccer team as the Flyers chipped a ball to the far post in the first overtime that hit iron and broke the plane of the goal line just as GW cleared it away, making for a 2-1 victory at Baujan Field. Dayton improves 5-5-1 (2-1) on the season.

Dayton played well for much of the game and the first 10 minutes were no exception. Just five minutes into the match, Sunday Isename threaded a ball to Christian Porto who appeared to be in an offsides position, but the head referee thought otherwise and that allowed Porto to corral the ball and put it past the GW goalkeeper from 15yds out for the early 1-0 advantage. The early goal lifted the Flyers play and for over the next 25 minutes Dayton controlled most of the ball possession and had a number of nice attacks in the Colonial defense. GW gradually upped their play however and became more physical over the course of the final 10-15 minutes of the half. The visitors from the nation’s capital served a lot of long balls from the back line and some of them turned into scoring opportunities. Dayton made all the stops they needed in the first half, but by halftime, things were looking pretty even, although Sunday Isename hit the goalpost for the second time this weekend about 8yds out late in the first half.

GW came out with something to prove in the second half and quickly put the Flyers on their heels. A long throw-in from the left sideline sailed into the UD penalty box where Matthew Osborne headed it past Flyer GK Matt Hutchins to tie the game at 1-1 in the 51st minute.

Over the next 40 minutes, it was a battle of brawn as both teams tried roughing each other up and gaining an advantage in the offensive thirds of the field. The Colonials won a free kick from 40yds out a bit later and put a bona fide laser beam on goal that caromed off the crossbar and out of play — without question one of the best struck balls fans have seen all year.

GW continued to play long balls over the top of the Flyer defense hoping to capitalize on a quick counter attack that could take advantage of UD like other teams have this year, but Dayton held tough and a few critical stops by Denny Clanton and others kept things at 1-1. UD pushed hard for a game winner in the final minutes of the game and had several free kicks and corner kicks to get a ball in the box and hope for something good, but the Colonials were there every time to clear it away. Soon enough it was another game headed for another overtime.

In the 95th minute, Dayton finally sewed things up on a somewhat controversial play. Sunday Isename controlled the ball near the right corner of the GW penalty box and chipped a soft cross to the far post on the left side as 8-10 players watched it sail over their heads. A seemingly innocent ball clanked off the far post and crossed the plane of the goal mouth just before a Colonial defender cleared it away. GW begged for a play-on while the Flyers called for a victory. The referees agreed that the ball crossed the GW goal line in the air and called the game.

Dayton is looking better in the midfield and Joe Appel is providing a spark off the bench while Erik Nelson and Wade Fischer looked equally decent on Sunday. Sophomore defender Denny Clanton however snuffed out several balls in the Flyer defense however that may have spelled serious trouble for Dayton as GW was looking to score. He put out enough fires to earn him the UDPride Player of the Game, while freshman Chris Rolfe finished a close second for his all-out hustle and grit in the offensive half of the field.

Dayton goes on the road for a two-game swing next weekend, starting Friday with Fordham in the Bronx, NY, and finishing up on Sunday at LaSalle in Philadelphia.