We got the W on the road today. Stats-wise we dominated the match by outshooting the Ramblers 19-2 including 9-0 in shots on goal. Corner kicks were 8-3.
The stats -- as they often are in soccer -- were misleading for a good portion of the match however. Perhaps all of the first half in fact. Dayton had the better scoring chances in the first 45 minutes but LOY had much better possession and caused Dayton problems by pressuring us in the defensive half.
We suffered from slow play and no urgency which has been our crutch all year -- its as if we forgot what got 5 goals in the second half vs GW a few days prior.
A scoreless halftime gave us a chance to regroup and get the wind at our backs in the second half. Both of those things went our direction because we played significantly better and controlled more of the play and had more dangerous scoring chances. A super nice buildup from the back created about 6-7 passes down the field, where Noel Blain finished off a great shot from 16yds out after cutting back and twisting a defender -- shooting far post for the 1-0 lead and game-winner.
The Loyola GK had a couple real nice saves to keep the score 1-0. Loyola had a couple dangerous chances around UDs goal box and a couple late corner kicks but UD did enough to clear the ball away to avoid giving up a cheap goal late in the match. This was my biggest worry -- doing all that work to get the lead then flushing it down the toilet.
We are not a great carpet team by nature and Loyolas field made us a bit sloppy. Overall though I'll take a shutout on the road while giving up no shots on goal. My point however was this was not a game where UD did anything they wanted. Loyola definitely made us work for it and we were fortunate to put a goal in the net.
We keep pace with
Saint Louis but have to take care of VCU at home first. This is the time where we need to be playing our best soccer. We have two games to reach that crescendo. Sunday was a game we managed, but did not necessarily build off of. We gotta get MEANER out there.