DAYTON (OH) — A pair of set-piece goals in the second half did just enough damage to keep the Dayton Flyers perfect on the 2013 season, topping IUPUI 2-0 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Baujan Field. UD improves to 7-0-0 and is just one of three programs still clinging to a perfect record. The Jaguars remain winless however at 0-7-2.

The Flyers did well moments after the opening whistle to send the ball forward and challenge the IUPUI goal box. The best of those chances came just minutes into the match when sophomore Maik Schoonderwoerd posted up at the corner of the six-yard box, sealed his defender, and turned on a feed with a shot to the far post. The shot was just wide.

A few sequences later, the Flyers hit the crossbar and, subsequently, the left post on the follow-up from short-range. Despite not finishing their chances, UD appeared ready to spend the next 75 minutes tightening the screw with methodical, consistent pressure on offense.

Unfortunately, that never happened, Over the final 30 minutes of the half, IUPUI proved stubborn and enjoyed equal amounts of possession, loose-ball victories, and open space to move players forward. It was hard to tell the winless team from the team with the perfect record. Much of that came from IUPUI’s ability to win loose balls, while the Flyers spent much of the first half ball-watching.

Compounding UD’s struggles were suspect first touches that led to far too many dis-possessions in the midfield. The Jaguars took advantage with a better work rate and despite their smaller frames were able to out-hustle Dayton for important touches within the center circle.

UD needed to quicken the pace, rely on more one-touch passing, and catch the opposition in a numbers disadvantage, but too often the Jags had plenty of time to get numbers behind the ball, disrupt things, and counter with acres of room in the midfield — where Dayton marking was mostly ornamental.

Abe Keller had UD’s only two shots on goal in the first half, both on set pieces from distance. In the run of play, it was mostly a tale of half-chances.

First half stats slightly favored Dayton in shots (9-6) and corner kicks (3-1).

The second half was much like the first in many respects. UD never displayed a proper work ethic to grind out loose balls and give themselves an honest chance at catching the Jags vulnerable. Movement off the ball was sub-standard and for too many stretches by too many players, fans witnessed a lot of standing around.

The Jags nearly put the Flyers down 1-0 on a ball that scooted past the last Flyer defender, giving IUPUI a clean chance with only GK Chris Froschauer to beat. Fortunately the Jags’ final touch was not ideal and Froschauer read the play well, charging from goal and scooping up the mess.

The Flyers took some much-needed pressure off themselves in the 55th minute when a free kick from midfield found the head of Schoonderwoerd at the left post. His perfect redirect to Ryan Peterson’s feet — unmarked in the middle of the box — allow Peterson to take his time and finish with right-side netting to put UD up 1-0.

UD added some cushion in the 69th minute on an Abe Keller corner kick that found Rafael Gamboa at the far post for a clean header at his near post. Up 2-0, things were now more or less in control.

But that’s not to say the run of play improved all that much. The Jags went toe-to-toe with the Flyers over the last 20 minutes and hit the crossbar on a long-range shot from the left side that did no further harm. The 4pm kickoff made the setting sun exceedingly difficult for the Flyer back line, but they managed it as best they could.

Senior Andres Acevedo, nursing a gimp knee, saw his first action in about a month as a late second-half substitution.

Match stats reflect the competitive run of play as UD out-shot IUPUI 17-13 and won the battle of corner kicks 5-4.

In the context of evaluating 90 minutes of play, Dayton was not in good form. Perhaps some of that was expected after coming off Friday evening’s emotional 3-1 victory at Ohio State. Still, the Flyers have an unblemished record and critics will continue to call into question the quality of the opposition when winless programs like IUPUI give the Flyers this much trouble.

On the other hand, UD won the match in spite of themselves and part of being a quality side is winning with your C game. A couple well-executed set pieces bailed them out. Dayton, Maryland-Baltimore County, and Cal-State Northridge remain the only unbeaten and untied programs in Division-I. Perhaps even better news is after tonight’s result, it’s unlikely UD will feel over-confident anytime soon.

The non-con schedule continues next weekend at Baujan Field when UD takes on Loyola-CHI and Valparaiso.