Sept. 25, 2009
Box Score
DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton men's soccer team dispatched visiting SIU Edwardsville 3-0 Friday night at Baujan Field to extend its winning streak to three matches.
The Flyers (3-3-1) put on an offensive showcase with some beautifully set up goals, and the UD defense didn't disappoint either.
"A three-game winning streak really feels good and I thought that tonight was our best performance of the year," said UD Head Coach Dennis Currier. "We worked a lot in practice on some of the things we did well tonight. We talked about the back four and the mid four staying connected and the defensive communication was very good.
"Before the game we talked about goals and we asked the team if they could score three goals and get a shutout and they did exactly that," added Currier. "All around it was a really good effort. This was a glimpse of our potential and it we keep this up it's a reflection of what we can produce."
The Flyers are 22-0-1 when scoring three or more goals in Currier's tenure. UD's first goal came in the 16th minute. Sophomore Jack Pearson picked up his second game-winning goal of the season and the fifth of his career on a spectacular combination play. Senior Ryan Hanbury served up the ball down the sideline and junior Tommy Watkins headed it into the box. Pearson was there for the score with a header of his own to the back of the net.
The Flyers expanded their lead early in the second period when Handbury once again orchestrated a goal for his team-leading fourth assist on the season. He chipped the ball into the 18 and Peter Chilemena slid the ball past the keeper for a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute and his team-leading third goal of the season.
"It's rare for me to get two assists but I've got a couple this season and have gotten lucky," said a modest Handbury. "As long as I keep putting the ball in there and they keep scoring, I don't mind."
Senior Isaac Kissi put on the finishing touches with a one-touch volley off the service from free kick specialist senior Sonny Renner in the 58th minute.
"We put everything together tonight which will hopefully springboard us into a few more wins," said Currier. Dayton outshot the Cougars just 15-10, but UD had five shots on goal to SIUE's two.
The Flyers posted their second shutout this season over the Cougars, who recently shut out nationally-ranked Ohio State 0-0. Josh Lavallee had two saves in goal for UD.
"Our defensive effort was pretty solid and that was our goal. We have not had a shutout in a few games and we've been scoring some goals lately so we knew if we kept it clean we were going to win the game," said Handbury. "As a defense, the back four have played together for ages, and basically we needed a shutout, so it was nice to get back to that way.
"We expect to get a shut out every game," he added. "We have not been getting them lately and it has been getting a little annoying."
Dayton plays a mid-week home match against Alabama A & M this Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. ET at Baujan Field.
