Nov. 2, 2006

Box Score

St. Louis, MO - In a fantastic display of hard-played soccer, the University of Dayton (8-7-3) women's soccer team saw their season come to an end at Robert R. Bermann Stadium in St. Louis. The Flyers used almost every play in the book to stymie the Rhode Island Rams, but the Rams had a one-goal advantage when time expired as they secured the victory 3-2.

The first half included a flurry of activity on both ends of the field. The Flyers struck first in the 8th minute. Sophomore Amanda Gallow launched a corner kick from the right side to feed junior Natalia Walters from six yards off the corner. Walters blasted a shot from the corner toward the left post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The lead did not last long, as Rhode Island responded with a goal of their own in the 14th minute. Deb Nelson received a pass from Dora Larusdottir, and went one on one down the middle of the field with goalkeeper Tasha Dittamore. Nelson shot to the left of Dittamore, who lunged but was unable to make the save.

Four minutes later, the Rams took the lead as Dora Larusdottir once again fed an advancing Rhode Island player. The recipient this time was Kassandra Spitler, who took a shot from eight yards out that threaded two Dayton defenders and glanced off the outstretched hands of Dittamore.

The Flyers were not finished either. In the 37th minute, All-Conference first-team member Mandi Bäck sent a gentle pass from 30 yards out to fellow freshman and All-Rookie team selection Caitlin Proffitt, who took her turn going one-on-one with Rams goalkeeper Amanda Thomas. Proffitt took it down the field and sent a shot from 12 yards that found its way to the far post in the upper right corner of the net. The goal tied the score at 2-2. It also broke the record for the most goals scored in the first half of an Atlantic 10 conference tournament match.

Dittamore made four spectacular saves in the first half, including three shots from Dora Larusdottir that were each within 15 yards of the goal.

The second half saw Dayton controlling the ball for most of the first 20 minutes. Walters was able to rattle off two shots on goal during the first minute of the half. A lapse in defense in the 71st minute allowed Rhode Island player Deb Nelson to sneak into the goal box. After eluding two Dayton defenders with some fancy footwork, Nelson faked right and went left to score the game-winning goal for the Rams.

The last chance for the Flyers to tie the game came in the 78th minute as Bäck went on a breakaway and sent a shot to the far post from the right side. The shot fell into the hands of Thomas as she spread out on the goal line for the block.

The Flyers finish the season at 8-7-3.