Sep. 10, 2004

COLUMBUS, OH - Behind the game-winning goal and an assist from junior MF Stacy Palumbo (Fairfield, OH), the University of Dayton women's soccer team came from behind to down Virginia Tech, 2-1, Friday evening at the Ohio State Buckeye Classic. In a battle of two teams ranked No. 7 in their respective regions, the Flyers (4-1-0) won their fourth straight by holding the high-scoring Hokies (4-1-0) to less than two goals for the first time this season.

Both teams had plenty of early chances, but Virginia Tech struck first as Ashley Stinson scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season in the 22nd minute. Stinson pounded home a loose ball in the box after a corner kick from Erin Moore.

UD owned a wealth of the first-half offense and freshman D Courtney Sirmans (Centerville, OH) finished a perfect pass from junior MF Stacy Palumbo (Fairfield, OH) for her second goal of the season. Sirmans took a slotted ball from Palumbo down the middle of the field, dribbled 10 yards and shot from just inside the box past VT goalkeeper Mallory Soldner.

The Hokies had entered the match having won their first four matches by a combined 17-1 score, including a 2-0 win over Maryland in VT's first-ever contest as an ACC member.

The match went to halftime tied at 1-1, but UD kept the pressure on VT, racking up the first seven shots of the second half.

Palumbo, coming off an injury that held had held her out of the last two matches, put the Flyers up 2-1 with her second career goal. The junior pounded home a ball from 25 yards out on the far side after taking a pass from junior F Reba Sedlacek (Hamilton, OH) at the top of the box. Junior MF Katie Lowstuter (Cincinnati, OH) was also credited with assists on the eventual game-winner as she crossed the ball to Sedlacek from the near flank.

The Dayton Defense kept the Hokies in check and senior GK Stacy DeLuca (Maryville, IL) made five saves in improving her record to 4-1-0. The Flyers outshot the Hokies 21-14 for the match, including a 10-6 edge in the second half. Senior Tesia Kozlowski (Westerville, OH) and freshman Amy Lopez (Sunset Hills, MO) paced UD with four shots apiece.

The Flyers have never lost in their eight all-time meeting with the Hokies. Both teams were members of the Atlantic 10 Conference until VT departed for the Big East in 1999.

UD will wrap-up play in the Buckeye Classic Sunday against Louisiana State at 11:30 a.m.