Sep. 3, 2004

FAIRBORN, OH -- It took 98 minutes and 20 shots for the University of Dayton women's soccer team to finally crack the Wright State University defense. When the Flyers did, freshman MF Kristen Persichini (Hudson, OH) scored to give UD the 1-0 win in overtime over its rival Friday night in Fairborn.

Persichini scored her first collegiate goal 3:41 into the first overtime with a header to the near side past WSU goalkeeper Steph Comisar. Junior MF Katie Lowstuter (Cincinnati, OH) set up the game-winner with dazzling footwork on the left flank to get free, followed by a perfectly placed cross to Persichini.

Although it was scoreless for 90 minutes of regulation, the Flyers (2-1-0) had plenty of chances to put the match away. UD outshot WSU 20-4 on the night, including a 14-1 advantage in the second half. Comisar was tested often, making eight saves in the losing effort. Senior GK Stacy DeLuca (Maryville, IL) made two saves in posting her second consecutive shutout for the Flyers.

"I have to give her (Comisar) credit," UD head coach Mike Tucker said. "She made some great saves and kept them in it."

In the 22nd meeting between crosstown rivals, neither team was able to generate much offense in the first half. The Flyers owned a 4-1 edge in shots, but had trouble moving the ball out of the midfield.

"We were playing right into their hands," Tucker said. "Once we started running players into the box and taking the possession at them 2-vs.-1, we were very dangerous. That is the way we have to play all the time."

Senior MF Tesia Kozlowski (Westerville, OH) accounted for six shots. Junior F Meghan Borysiak (Sylvania, OH), who provided the Flyers a key offensive spark off the bench, took three shots - which were all among UD's best scoring chances. She broke free down the right flank in the 35th minute, but slide a shot just wide of the far post and midway through the second half, fired two big shots on goal minutes apart.

A large crowd of 874 looked on as the Flyers defeated the Raiders (1-2-0) for the sixth consecutive time. UD owns a 17-4-1 lead in the all-time series, but just one other match in the series has gone to overtime. That was Sept. 13, 1993, when UD edged WSU, 1-0 in Fairborn. UD is now 19-11-9 all-time in overtime matches, but an impressive 13-4-5 under Tucker.

The Flyers return to action Sunday against the Unicersity of Cincinnati at 1:00 p.m. The game site has been moved to Xavier University due to construction at UC's field.