Dayton Flyers

Boxscore

PITTSBURGH – Sophomore Colleen Williams scored a golden goal in the 95th minute to lead the University of Dayton women’s soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory at Duquesne Friday night at Rooney Field in Atlantic 10 action.

With the win UD clinched a berth to the 2010 Atlantic 10 Championship, making it to the tournament for a conference-record 15th consecutive time. The Flyers improve to 15-2 overall and 7-0 in the A-10.

“One of our goals is to make it into the league tournament. Our next goal is to win the thing,” said UD Head Coach Mike Tucker. “We want to get into the NCAA tournament. The only sure way to get in is to win our conference tournament and now we’ve given ourselves the chance to do it. I also think we have earned a top seed and a bye which is huge.”

Williams’ goal – her league-leading 14th and sixth game-winner – came after a corner kick by senior Jerica DeWolfe. Junior Josie Grant then flicked it from near post to the back post where Williams headed the ball into the net.

“She’s getting special treatment in every game and despite that still gets a goal and an assist,” said Tucker of Williams. “Everybody is hanging on her. She has managed to continue her play and not get overly upset. She is learning how to be effective despite this and her teammates are learning to play with her under those circumstances.”

Williams also had an assist in the match as she and junior Kelsey Miller set up senior Alli Giner’s goal early in the second half in the 47th minute. It was Giner’s fourth goal of the season.

Duquesne’s Lauren Ott tied the match in the 64th minute, the first goal the UD defense has allowed in 407:58.

Dayton outshot the Dukes 16-9 including 3-0 in the overtime period. The Flyers also had 13 corner kicks (including the one in overtime that led to the game-winner) to Duquesne’s zero. Duquesne drops to 7-7-1 overall and 4-2-0 in the A-10.

“We had so many corner kicks and many of them were dangerous,” said Tucker. “In overtime, in a do-or-die situation it was a great way to win the game.”

Senior Lisa Rodgers had four saves in goal and improved to 11-0 on the season for the Flyers.

Dayton plays at St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Oct. 24 and wraps up regular season play at Xavier on Friday, Oct. 29.