Aug. 22, 2008

Box Score |  GAME PHOTOS

DAYTON, Ohio - The Dayton women's soccer team looked solid across the board in its 4-1 victory over No. 26 Indiana (0-1) Friday night at Baujan Field. The Flyers (1-0) displayed depth, speed and created several scoring opportunities in their season opener.

"We had a lot of great scoring opportunities," said UD head coach Mike Tucker. "We played great soccer, had good touches and great finishes. We played well on the entire field tonight."

Junior Mandi Bäck started the 2008 season right where she left off. The 2007 Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year got the Flyers on the board first, scoring in the 6th minute on an assist from fellow junior Colleen Gibson. Gibson slotted a pass through the left side and Bäck dribbled into the box and finished with a low driving shot under the keeper to far post.

The Hoosiers didn't take long to erase the 1-0 deficit. Devon Beach drilled a shot to the back of the net after a defensive miscue by the Flyers on a set play after a free kick 7:22 into the game.

Junior Caitlin Proffitt put UD back up in the 25th minute. The forward, who has a knack for game-winning goals - now tallying five in her career - made one move to beat the Indiana goalkeeper and took a crisp shot to the corner with the inside of her boot. The Flyers held the 2-1 lead at the half.

Bäck notched her second goal of the evening, and 23rd of her career, in the 58th minute. Sophomore Jerica DeWolfe made an excellent pass from midfield to the top of the goal box. Bäck received the pass in stride and had a strong finish to build UD's lead, 3-1.

Sophomore Allison Giner scored her first collegiate goal 60 minutes into the match to put the game out of reach. She hit a great shot on frame over an outstretched goalie, on an assist from Gibson, to give UD its final margin of victory.

UD head coach Mike Tucker started four freshmen, including three on the back line, in the Flyers' season opener: Emily Kenyon, Kelsey Miller and Kathleen Beljan.

"Our defense was incredibly good," said Tucker. "They worked so well as a unit and limited a very good team to just a few chances. They really had it together back there, played phenomenally and did not make many mistakes."

Senior Deana Waintraub had three saves in goal for the Flyers, including two spectacular diving saves in the second stanza, keeping the Hoosiers off the board in the final half. Dayton outshot the Hoosiers, 21-8.

"I'm really happy with how we have played in preseason," said Tucker. "We knew we were deep and we're strong and fast. We just have to keep that competitive attitude."

The Flyers will play in the Illini Cup Challenge, hosted by the University of Illinois, next Friday and Sunday, Aug. 29 & 31 at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium. UD opens the tournament against the Big East conference's Pittsburgh on Friday at 5 p.m.