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DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton men's soccer team split their contests with Bradley on Saturday, taking the first match from the Braves 2-1 before falling in the second game 2-1.
In the first game of the day, the Flyers got an early lead after a goal by Ryan Lyn just nine minutes into the contest. Victor Duru assisted on the play.
Dayton held that lead until the 23rd minute when Michael Frasca placed another Duru pass in the back of the Bradley net, giving the Flyers a 2-0 advantage.
The Braves narrowed the gap in the 38th minute with a goal off the throw in, but that was all the damage Bradley would muster on the day as Dayton took a 2-1 victory from the visitors.
Head coach Dennis Currier talked about his team's performance after game No. 1.
"The first game was designed by both teams to play squad members who have not seen much playing time this past year," said Currier. "This was a great game for many of our young redshirt-freshmen and I felt they responded very well. We kept the ball moving and dictated the pace of the game during the first half. Our front six did well to keep the pressure on them which resulted in two goals in the first 45 minutes. The second half became more of a stalemate, but I felt we did well grinding it out."
In the second game of the day, the Flyers took the initial lead once again. Abe Keller came directed an Eddie Jones pass around the Bradley goalkeeper for the first goal of the game.
That lead lasted throughout the first half as both teams headed into the locker rooms looking to make adjustments.
Bradley attempted to take control back in the contest, but Dayton held off the Braves for the most part.
The Flyers' lead was erased in the 82nd minute of the game when Bradley scored on a scramble in front of the Dayton goal after a corner kick.
With a 1-1 game, UD was looking to get out of the match with at least a tie, but Bradley scored on a free kick at the top of the 18 with four minutes remaining.
In the end, Dayton fell to Bradley in the second game, 2-1.
Coach Currier talked about that performance as well.
"Once again, we put together an exceptional first half of play and took the lead early," Currier stated. "When we keep the ball moving, we are a tough team to deal with. In the second half, we did not do well with the relentless pressure Bradley put on us with driven balls in the channels. We allowed too many set pieces which resulted in two late goals. This was a good game for our team to be involved in because it mimics most of the A-10 battles we will be in during the fall. It was a very competitive game from start to finish."
Dayton is now 3-1 on the spring season and will next play a round-robin style competition when it faces Ohio Dominican (11 a.m.) and Bowling Green (1:30 p.m.) on April 13.
