Dayton Flyers

Nov. 9, 2008

ST. LOUIS -  The University of Dayton fell 1-0 against No. 1 seed and nationally-ranked Charlotte Sunday at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in the 2008 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship.

The Flyers had a decisive 21-6 shot advantage, including 12 on frame compared to Charlotte's two - the 49ers had a shot on goal in each half. Dayton also held the advantage on corner kicks, 7-3.

"We had 28 great opportunities to put the ball in the net," said UD Head Coach Mike Tucker. "I don't think anyone can watch this game and not say we're the better team. We hit some brilliant balls. You have to give the Charlotte goalkeeper credit but a lot of it was just flat bad luck. I think we could have easily scored five or six goals."

The Flyers dominated the first 45 minutes, blasting 11 shots to Charlotte's three. UD pummeled the 49ers with seven shots on frame and five corner kicks in the first period.

Charlotte had just one shot on goal but in the first stanza but it gave the 49ers a 1-0 lead at the half, a lead that would hold up for the A-10 Championship. Sophomore Katie Davies put the ball in play with a flip throw that bounced around the box and junior Hailey Beam got a head on it and the ball caromed to the back of the goal in the 36th minute. It was the A-10 Midfielder of the Year's 17th score of the season.

Dayton had several close calls but luck was not on its side. UD junior Mandi Back had six shots, equaling what the entire Charlotte team put up in the game. Junior Lauren MacCormick and freshman Emily Kenyon each had three shots for the Flyers. Dayton also had a bad break early in the first half when Atlantic 10 First Team midfielder Colleen Gibson went down with an ankle injury.

UD's back line of sophomore Allison Giner and freshmen Kathleen Beljan and Kelsey Miller held Charlotte to just two shots on goal. Beljan and Miller were named to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team, along with Back at forward.

"The defense played brilliant," said Tucker. "They really got us in to the attack. There aren't many defenses, as a whole, that can play better than them."

The Flyers (15-6-1) will now wait to see if they make the NCAA tournament. The selections will be made Monday from 8-8:30 p.m. on ESPN News.