DAYTON (OH) — The IPFW Mastadons came into Sunday afternoon’s match winless on the season. Thanks to a 4-1 defeat to Dayton, they leave Baujan Field still searching for their first victory. UD scored three times in the first half to blow the match open and win for the second time in three days. The Flyers improve to 6-1, while IPFW falls to 0-7.

A picture-perfect late summer climate made for exceptional match conditions and great soccer-viewing weather for the 413 fans at Baujan Field. Dayton took about five minutes to find their rhythm after kickoff, but once they did, things played favorably in UD’s direction for the remainder of the first half.

The Flyers were physical and when loose-ball challenges required a hard-hitting shoulder or tackle, Dayton was more than willing to throw their size and weight around. IPFW had trouble with UD’s attacking duo of Abe Keller and Eddie Jones. Each of them won their share of balls and controlled possession in the midfield as Dayton advanced the ball into the offensive third of the field.

The early pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Jones went lower far post from inside the right side of the goal box to put UD up 1-0. IPFW’s best response wasn’t good enough as the UD defense held tight in the back to keep the Mastadons off the scoreboard. Freshman Christopher Lemming and Maik Schoonderwoerd did well with their size and strength to push IPFW players off the ball and turn the possession upfield with distribution or clears.

Dayton made it 2-0 in the 21st minute when Lemming finished inside the box after the Flyers won a header in front of the goal mouth. The tally probably sealed IPFW’s fate as the Mastadons appeared to lose their sense of purpose over the last 20 minutes of the half, not to mention a posture of confidence to climb back from the two-goal deficit.

The Flyers added a third goal in the 30th minute when Schoonderwoerd cleaned up a corner kick just arm’s distance from the near post to put UD up 3-0. Less than 10 minutes apart, Both Lemming and Schoonderwoerd helped break the game wide open with their first collegiate scores of their career.

IPFW did well just to keep the match 3-0 at halftime. UD had two or three other great opportunities to stretch the lead, but solid saves or near-misses prevented Dayton from piling on. Halftime stats were all UD as they owned a commanding 14-2 advantage in shots and 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

The second half deteriorated with sloppier play and a lack of purpose at times, but some of that was probably indicative of the Flyers recognizing the damage had been already done in the first half. Daniel Berko provided some offensive punch with his speed and ball-winning ability up top, while the defense continued to remain organized in the back line with few gaffs or other reasons to worry.

Berko notched his team-leading fifth goal of the season after taking a perfectly-weighted through ball near the center of the box. Berko finished it nicely with a low shot that tucked inside the right post to put UD up 4-0 in the 66th minute.

The last 20 minutes were uneventful. UD had already accomplished the task of winning the match, while IPFW knew a comeback was out of the question. Still, IPFW created their best scoring chances in the waning minutes of the second half by working the flanks and then moving the ball inside near the 18. The aggressiveness to win loose balls tailed off for the Flyers and the Mastadons did well with the few opportunities they had to manufacture something dangerous directly at UD goalkeeper Chris Froschauer. The steady pressure was rewarded in the 76th minute when Dayton got sloppy inside the goal box and allowed IPFW’s Tom Corey to knock one into the net to cut the Flyer lead to 4-1. Too little, too late however and the goal rounded out the scoring in the match.

Dayton dominated the match in the stats department, out-shooting IPFW 26-10 and earning 11 corner kicks to just five for the Mastadons.

Still winless on the season, no one will suggest beating IPFW is a signature victory, but it does improve the Flyers to 6-1 and that alone is a great thing given the poor start last year. The Mastadons were a step below in competitiveness and talent compared to Gardner-Webb. Dayton had more size, speed, and physicality, not to mention a better motor in the midfield to win loose balls and other challenges. It wasn’t a perfect match as UD put together about 55 minutes of excellent soccer, book-ended by a slow start and a slower finish. But the result was never in doubt and the Flyers made relatively easy work of an opponent they should make easy work of.

The Flyers have one match next weekend against SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday at 8pm at Baujan Field. SIUE is ranked #22 in the latest NSCAA National Rankings.