Oct. 25, 2009

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DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton women's soccer squad extended its unbeaten streak to 17 games and blanked its 12th opponent this year - and are just one away from tying the single season school record for shutouts - after a 3-0 win over UMass (4-10-2, 3-6-0 A-10) Sunday at Baujan Field in Atlantic 10 action.

The Flyers (12-0-5, 8-0-1 A-10), already clinching a spot in the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship, dominated from the start. Dayton outshot the Minutewomen 22-7. Senior Lauren MacCormick scored the game-winning goal less than two minutes into the match.

Cara Cornacchia served a ball down the left side flank to Colleen Williams who centered it into the box. MacCormick one-touched it past the keeper at the 1:28 mark for her seventh goal of the season and fourth game-winner.

Fellow senior Mandi Bäck scored her sixth and seventh goals of the season to pad the UD lead.

She scored in the 17th minute with uncanny balance and tremendous ball handling. Bäck trapped the ball near the left corner on the end line, dribbled past three defenders, all while on a tight rope to keep the ball in bounds and then ripped a shot past the keeper at a near 90-degree angle to give Dayton a 2-0 lead.

Bäck found the back of the net again early in the second half. Junior Kelly Blumenschein slotted a pass to her and she finished it nicely under a diving keeper 1:16 into the period.

Bäck's second goal of the match marked the 36th of her career, tying her for fourth all-time in UD history for goals scored.

The Flyer defense is also looking to get into the record books. The defensive rotation of Kathleen Beljan, Allison Giner, Kelsey Miller and Alysha Mallon, along with goalkeepers Katherine Boone and Lisa Rodgers, have posted 12 shutouts this season, one off the record set by the 2004 squad that had 13 shutouts and only allowed 12 goals. The 2009 edition of the Flyers have allowed just five goals all season and their 0.27 GAA is second best the nation.

Dayton plays a make-up game at St. Bonaventure this Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. The Flyers return home to take on Xavier in their last regular season match, Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.