Sept. 11, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - For the second straight game, the University of Dayton women's soccer team played a top 25 opponent to a tie. Sunday, the Flyers were not able to hold their 2-1 lead and tied the fifth-ranked Cavaliers, 2-2, in the finale of the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic at Klockner Stadium. UD (3-1-2), receiving votes in the top 25, held the 2-1 lead at the half, gave up the equalizer with 1:24 left in regulation and held off a late charge from UVA in overtime to stretch its unbeaten streak to five matches.

Senior Reba Sedlacek and redshirt freshman April Carbajal scored the Flyers' goals while sophomore goalkeeper Niki Reed came up big with eight saves and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Reed was joined by freshman defender Stephanie Wurth and senior Katie Lowstuter.

The Cavaliers (3-2-1) took an early advantage in the ninth minute with the first of two goals from Noelle Keselica. Sarah Huffman hit a corner kick to the far post, which Keselica headed past Reed for the early advantage.

Sedlacek, the defending Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, answered in the 26th minute with her third goal of the season. Off a free kick, sophomore Courtney Sirmans headed a ball which rebounded off the crossbar to Sedlacek, who headed it back in the net.

UD used another restart in the 37th minute to take the lead, which it would hold until the closing minutes of the game. Sirmans had a free kick from 40 yards out that was flicked on by senior defender Alicija Bredlo to Carbajal, who headed it in from close range. The goal was the first of Carbajal's career.

Reed helped the Flyers dodge the second-half charge from Virginia as she collected four saves in the half to keep the lead safe. But the Cavaliers persistence paid off as Keselica scored her second goal of the match to tie it with 1:24 left in regulation. Keslica tucked a shot inside the far post with assists from Ali Fries and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Virginia had a pair of quality scoring chances in the second overtime, which Reed stopped. UD finished the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic with a 0-0-2 record and tied for second place with William & Mary, which also finished with two ties. Sunday, W&M drew Tennessee, 1-1, and the Lady Vols were crowned champions with a 1-0-1 record. UT upset UVA 1-0 Friday night.

For the match, UD was out-shot 16-6 and out-cornered 9-3. But for the second time in three years, the Flyers were able to play even with a Calvaliers team ranked in the top 10. UD opened its 2003 home schedule with a 1-1 tie to then-No. 6 UVA at Baujan Field.

Friday, UD tied No. 25 William & Mary, 1-1, after leading 1-0 at the half. The back-to-back ties are the first for Dayton since the 1984 season - UD's first season of soccer.

The Flyers will put their five-match unbeaten streak on the line Thursday, hosting local rival Wright State at Baujan Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.