DAYTON (OH) — The Dayton Flyers overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit with three second half goals to win 3-1 and ruin Butler University’s inaugural match in the Atlantic-10 Conference. A small but hearty contingent of fans braving the rain and cold temperatures saw UD improve to 7-2 (1-0) while the Bulldogs fall to 2-3-4 (0-1).

The match started with wet conditions as pre-game drizzle made for a slippery Baujan Field surface for both teams. The steady rain would come later but Dayton took advantage of the dry air shortly after the opening whistle to overcome the field conditions and assert themselves in the match.

The opening 15 minutes were a good start for the Flyers as they controlled possession and had an easier time moving the ball forward than their new A10 counterparts. Playing slightly higher up top, the UD forwards put pressure in Butler’s back line and did well to challenge offensively inside the box. Daniel Berko leveraged his speed advantage to throw a scare into Bulldog defenders, while support from the midfield helped carry possession forward or provide service to the strikers.

Butler was not over-matched however and slowly found their legs. Just as they started to gain more possession and instigate some offensive pressure of their own, the Bulldogs cashed in to take the early lead in the 20th minute. A quality serve entered the box from the left flank, but UD did not challenge it well, allowing Adam Glanzer to redirect it into the net from six yards out. Thankfully freshman goalkeeper Chris Froschauer made a couple fingertip saves sandwiched between the Butler tally to prevent the Flyers from falling behind even further.

Over the last 25 minutes, both sides exchanged body blows and the match was relatively even. Each defense fought hard to overcome the slippery playing surface and avoid the debilitating mistake, and for the most part the teams did well to keep their shape and prevent balls from slipping behind the last player.

The weather worsened as halftime approached as the rain became more pronounced and more difficult to play through — though the overall field conditions of Baujan Field were exemplary. Halftime stats were split as UD led 8-6 in shots while Butler won the battle of corner kicks 4-1.

Butler started the second half reasonably well. The Flyers had chances of their own, but struggled to make the important last pass to open up the field and find the player best positioned to place a shot on goal.

Controversy erupted in the 52nd minute when Berko was pulled down in the Butler goal box. Roughly 17 yards out with his back to goal, Berko acted as target player and attempted to turn with the ball, but went down quickly and earned the PK from the head referee. The whistle earned Brandon Fricke a yellow card, while Abe Keller put the PK away to tie the match at 1-1. Objectively, it was a tough call against the Bulldogs based on where the foul occurred and how the players were positioned. The Butler fans voiced their displeasure too.

Back on track, Dayton picked up the pace and much of that credit went to junior Andres Acevedo. The attacking player from Rego Park, NY, showcased his lightning speed and relentless work rate to win balls all over the midfield — including possession in parts of the field outside his responsibility. Acevedo’s energy seemed to carry over to others and that was a good thing considering Butler wasn’t going away easy.

The Bulldogs countered by widening the field with players hovering on the touch lines, and that gave BU enough space to provide service to players attempting to sneak behind Dayton’s back line.

More controversy ensued in the 58th minute when defender Maik Schoonderwoerd cleaned up a ball in the box after an earlier touch of his seemed to carom off his bicep — or low shoulder — depending on how you saw it. Butler once again protested, but the goal put the Flyers up 2-1 and turned out to be the eventual game-winner.

As the rain continued, each side had their moments. The overall level of effort was very good and the match remained competitive as each team took turns putting balls in the box.

Fricke picked up his second yellow card of the match for the Bulldogs when he leveled Evan McCreary near midfield in the 74th minute after losing a header challenge to the Flyer senior. The infraction was well-earned and gave UD a man advantage over the last 15 minutes.

UD took advantage on a counter-attack in the 84th minute when Berko collected a clear from the Dayton back line, waited for Acevedo’s sprinting overlap, and fed his teammate streaking toward goal from 30 yards out. Behind the last defender and only the goalkeeper to beat, Acevedo slotted it to the lower post to make the score 3-1 and put the match out of reach.

For the match, UD out-shot Butler 19-10, but were out-cornered 9-4.

Acevedo had a terrific match — perhaps his best of the season. His speed and work rate are game-changers when he’s completely dialed in, and his style plays well opposite Daniel Berko up top. In goal, Froschauer was equally tremendous and never bobbled a touch all night in spite of nightmare goalkeeping conditions. His overall decision-making with high-ball catches or leaping punches inside the box were almost faultless. He saved at least two more first half Butler goals with pro-quality saves.

Butler is a strong program and used to winning. This season may be a down year for their standards, but they fielded a technically sound team nonetheless — though they didn’t have any real standouts that dazzled above others.

Dayton did what they had to do and overcame an early deficit to notch their seventh win of the season — and first victory in the A10. For now at least, UD is in first place in the league but inherits a much bigger challenge on Sunday afternoon against the St. Louis Billikens. The Bills recently pinned losses on nationally-ranked Louisville and Creighton. Game time is 3:30pm at Baujan Field.