Flyers men’s soccer lose 3-0 to No. 4 West Virginia, winless streak reaches four games

Sophomore Marc Kouadio, pictured (black uniform) Sept. 10, played well in the first half against West Virginia, making four saves, but couldn’t stop the rush in the Flyers’ 3-0 loss. Photo courtesy of Brad Puckett, Dayton Athletics.

Peter Burtnett | Sports Editor

The Dayton Flyers men’s soccer team closed out the main portion of their non-conference play with a 3-0 loss to No. 4 West Virginia on the road Tuesday night, extending their winless run to 4 games, three of which have been 3-0 losses.

After consecutive 3-0 road losses to Western Michigan (moved from Baujan Field because of pitch conditions) and Oakland, the Flyers drew 1-1 against Kansas City at Roger Glass Stadium in Dayton Saturday evening. 

Against the 4th-ranked Mountaineers, the Flyers exerted quick early pressure, earning two corner kicks within the first 90 seconds. Flyers sophomore goalkeeper Marc Kouadio had an excellent first half, making four saves (one shot sent right off his face at point-blank range), but the remainder of the first half was in favor of the hosts. The opening goal was scored in the 20th minute after a shot rebounded to Yoran Popovic, who struck the ball easily into the back of the net.

Finishing the first half leading shots (9-3) and shots on goal (5-0), the Mountaineers held a comfortable advantage over the visiting Flyers.

In the second half, the Flyers were held without a single shot, and the Moutnaineers put the game away with a goal off a deflection in the 77th minute. The final knock was an Flyers own goal from a West Virginia cross in the 88th minute to put the game officially away.

With the 3-0 loss, the Flyers drop to 3-3-2 heading into the Atlantic 10 opener against VCU Saturday, Sept. 25. The final non-conference game will be played against Kentucky at Baujan Field Sept. 29.

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