Junior forward Sunday Isename has been quiet at Baujan Field since the start of the season, but is on his way to changing that with the overtime game winner against the Xavier Musketeers for a 1-0 Flyer victory at Baujan Field Sunday night. Dayton improves their conference record to 2-0 and remains in 1st place in the A-10 race, while the overall record moves to 4-4-1 (1-0). Xavier falls to 2-6-1 (0-1). Dayton is now 2-1 in overtime games this year.

In a game that neither showed flashes of brilliance or flashes of despair, the highly contested match between the two A-10 rivals was heated throughout the match. Neither side could seize control of the game and what ended up was a back and forth war of attrition. Whoever made the first big mistake would probably lose the game, but fans would have to wait until the 105th minute in the first overtime to see its fruition.

The first half came and went without any clear domination by either team in any one aspect of the contest. Both squads put forth a blue-collar effort that forced the other side to work just as hard at winning loose balls, headers, and work a clean ball from the back line. A few dangerous long balls gave Dayton a chance in the attack, but the Muskie defense stiffened up in the XU defensive third of the field and kept the Flyers from ripping a clean shot on goal. Likewise, XU finished the first half without a clean shot o goal as well, and it didn’t appear that either side was going to find a way to score as the half ended at 0-0.

As the sun set, the temperatures dropped, and the second half commenced, the stakes grew for Dayton. In a must-win contest for the Flyers to keep pace in the A-10 and return to winning ways, there was no cushion for letting this one slip away. Fortunately, they never looked like the game was slipping away. Each team raised the intensity in the second half and while the scoring chances weren’t more frequent, the quality of the scoring chances were much better and a number of them could have won the game. The Muskies played several long balls in the latter minutes of regulation on quick counter attacks that surprised the Flyers and forced a big stop. Xavier had a few excellent chances near the box but couldn’t finish them off as Dayton seemed to remain in the right place at the right time. The Flyers nearly put the game away in the final 10 seconds of regulation when midfielder Erik Nelson had a one vs. one with the XU goalkeeper, but the shot went just wide of the right post from 15yds out. Regulation ended at 0-0.

Both teams were pumped to get the win as the first sudden death overtime period started and the game went from one end to the other as it had in the first 90 minutes. It all came to a good ending in the 105th minute as Sunday Isename got loose in the middle of the field and corralled a ball that forced the XU goalkeeper from his box. Isename quickly chipped the ball from 20 yards out and it trickled in the left corner just as a Xavier defender reached the goal line. What ensued was a quick team party at the corner flag as Isename discarded the shirt and led the team in celebration. Who else could we tab but Sunday Isename for the UDPride Player of the Game.

Junior Mike Nsien, a converted forward, did not play again while nursing an injury. Starting GK and current Athlete Diary contributor Matt Hutchins sat out as well as sophomore Jason Kurdziel earned the win while making three saves on the night.

The Flyers return to action Friday night against league newcomer and co-favorite Richmond. It is their first ever visit to Dayton.