Oct. 28, 2005

Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Dayton women's soccer team was defeated by the University of Texas, 2-1, Friday night at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in the first ever meeting of the soccer powers. The Flyers (9-6-3) allowed two second-half goals in dropping the non-conference match-up in both teams' regular-season finale. Senior Reba Sedlacek scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season off the first career assist from sophomore goalkeeper Niki Reed.

With the Flyers pushing forward late, senior forward Reba Sedlacek headed a restart past UT goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger in the 88th minute, putting the Flyers on the board and making the score 2-1 Texas. A foul against the Longhorns led to a UD restart near midfield. Reed took the kick and sent a lofted ball to the middle of the box, which Sedlacek flicked with her head in traffic for the score. The assist was the first career point for the sophomore goalkeeper.

The UD goal capped off a solid second half by the Flyers as they outshot the homestanding Longhorns 11-6 and out-cornered them 4-0. A crowd of 1,093 was on-hand at the stadium which hosted the 2002 Women's College Cup.

Both Dayton and Texas (10-7-1) are riding streaks of four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and each has reached the Sweet 16 in that stretch - the Flyers in 2001 and the Longhorns last season.

After a scoreless first half, the Longhorns struck first in the 59th minute with the third goal of the season from Priscilla Fite. After the Flyers were whistled for a foul just outside the box, Fite blasted an indirect free kick to left the upper 90 with an assist from Caitlin Kennedy.

UT went ahead 2-0 in the 71st minute on a brilliant header from Amy Burlingham. A crossing pass from Erin Davis came to head of Burlingham and she fired at the near post, Reed dove and the ball tipped off her hands and into the net. Fite was also credited with an assist on the tally.

That goal would stand to be the game-winner as the Longhorns dodged the Flyers' second-half flurry. Pfenninger made four saves for Texas while Reed pulled in five for Dayton.

Even before the Sedlacek goal, the Flyers had a dangerous flurry came with just over 24 minutes left in the match as they earned two consecutive corner kicks wrapped around a ripped shot by senior defender Jacqueline Luehrs that was re-directed over the crossbar by Pfenninger. UD had an even better look just minutes later as Sedlacek got free on the endline, dribbled inside the box and sent a pass to sophomore defender Courtney Sirmans who was open at the near post, but she chipped the ball just over top of the crossbar.

For the match, UT owned a 19-13 edge in shots. Corner kicks were even at 4-4.

Both teams will head into conference tournament play next week as the Flyers officially earned an Atlantic 10 Championship berth tonight by way of Duquesne's 1-0 loss to La Salle. Although seeding has not been determined, UD will host the A-10 Championship Nov. 3-6 at Baujan Field. The Flyers will play Thursday night in the 8 p.m. game. Meanwhile, Texas heads to the Big 12 Championship Nov. 2-6 in San Antonio.