Dayton splits weekend slate at Baujan
By: Katie O’Bear- Staff Writer
Breaking a 30-game unbeaten streak in home conference matches, the University of Dayton women’s soccer team was shut out by La Salle University Friday at Baujan Field 2-0.
The Flyers, who have not beaten La Salle since 2010, dominated time of possession and had 28 shots on goal compared to La Salle with 10.
UD leads the all time series versus the Explorers, 16-5-0, however in the 31st minute of the game, La Salle forward Kelsey Haycook scored, the only goal of the match with an assist from Jessika Kagan.
“As a coach you don’t play for results as much as you play for trying to maintain high quality play,” head coach Mike Tucker said. “We do what you did Friday night as far as play and we won’t lose again for a long time.”
Despite the loss, this was an important match to the Flyers, since it was a Breast Cancer Awareness match.
The team showed their support by wearing pink warm-ups and the fans received pink pompons and T-shirts.
On Sunday, the Flyers took on Fordham University and defeated them in a shut out game, 2-0.
During the game, the Flyers honored their graduating seniors: midfielder Haley Keller, defenders Chelsea Rose and Allison Klinefelter, goalkeeper Heather Betancourt and forward Kelsey Smigel.
“It was bittersweet seeing the seniors play in one of their last games on Baujan field,” said sophomore defender Kathleen Golterman, “the team is so lucky to have the seniors who have played so hard and done so much for them over the past four years.”
Smigel scored within the first 20 minutes of play with an assist by Klinefelter.
UD dominated possession throughout the first half as well as scoring the only two goals of the game during this time.
Last season, UD defeated the Rams 3-1.
Similar to last season, junior forward Ashley Campbell and midfielder Nicole Waters were major contributors to this game.
Waters took all three of UD’s corner kicks, while Campbell scored the second goal of the game, with an assist from Waters as well.
Dayton now sits with a 3-2 Atlantic 10 conference record with only three conference matches remaining, before the postseason conference tournament kicks off Nov. 6-9.
The team will return to the field next weekend, taking on the University of Richmond Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.