Dayton Flyers

KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Dayton Flyers advanced to the Atlantic 10 championship match for the second consecutive season, downing the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the A-10 Semifinal at the URI Soccer Complex in Kingston, R.I.

"We played really well tonight, but we missed some of our chances. We could have done a better job of putting the game away in the second half," head coach Dennis Currier said. "When St. Bonaventure scored, I thought we did a good job of responding and getting the next two."

For Dayton, it was the second time they have beat the Bonnies in the past week. UD secured the regular season title in a 2-1 overtime win in Olean, N.Y. on Nov. 8.

The Flyers outshot SBU 18-10 and dominated on corner kicks 9-0.

The Flyers opened the scoring late in the first half as senior Isaac Kissi capitalized on a loose ball in front of the net. It was Kissi's ninth of the year, and it uncorked Dayton's offense against the Bonnies.

SBU answered back in the second half, knotting the game at one apiece. Midfielder Chris Leko dribbled across the box and dished to junior defenseman David DiNardo for his first goal of the season.

Sophomore Jack Pearson scored the go-ahead goal on a header from Zach Weiss' corner kick in the 81st minute. Dayton struck again, just one minute later, as Jeff Popella moved past the defense drawing SBU's goalkeeper out. A quick move by Popella gave him a wide open net for the insurance marker.

"Jeff Popella was really strong tonight and I thought he did a great job on the third goal dribbling behind their defense and beating their goalkeeper. It was a great individual effort," Currier said.

The Flyers advance to the Atlantic 10 Championship match against the winner of the No. 4 Rhode Island / No. 2 Saint Louis match currently in progress. Sunday's championship match will be played at 1:00 p.m. ET in Kingston, R.I.