Sept. 5, 2008

Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich. - For the second consecutive week, University of Dayton sophomore Kelly Blumenschein has provided the game-winning goal for the Flyer women's soccer team. She put away a goal in the 54th minute to give Dayton a 3-2 victory over Michigan. With the win UD improves to 3-1 on the season, its only loss, a 1-0 overtime setback to No. 15 Illinois.

The first half was fast and furious for the Flyers as they outshot Michigan, 7-1. Junior Caitlin Proffitt got UD on the board in the 23rd minute just moments after she came off the bench to fire up Dayton. She now leads the team with three goals scored on the season. Sophomore Tori Oelschlager helped set up the first strike, slotting the ball to Proffitt who then beat her defender and the goalkeeper to the low right corner of the frame.

"Caitlin got great inside position on their back. She got rid of her defender with a great first touch and finished well," said UD head coach Mike Tucker. "She is awful reliable for us up top."

Senior Stephanie Wurth gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead with her first goal of the 2008 season. Proffitt had the assist on Wurth's long shot from 30 yards out that beat the keeper high and far post.

"Michigan was playing a low pressure defense in the first half," said Tucker. "They dropped back in front of the goal. We kept possession 90 percent of the time. Steph Wurth hit a wonderful ball from a distance."

The Flyers held a 2-0 lead at halftime but Michigan came out strong in the second period to halve the score, 2-1, just three minutes into the final stanza. Danelle Underwood scored her first goal as it deflected off two UD defenders into the net at the 48:08 mark.

"Michigan changed it up in the second half and applied more pressure," said Tucker. "We have to learn how to deal with a lead at the half. I think some of our inexperience is that they feel they've got these games won at the half. I am excited to be leaving with a win."

Blumenschein's heroics came almost five minutes after Michigan's first goal. At the 53:37 mark she saw an opening and blasted what would become the game winner from 30 yards out.

"Kelly played some in the midfield, some in the back and was just all over the place for us," said Tucker. "She did a wonderful job of holding the ball up for us. She really hasn't had a ton of looks, but when she does she puts them away. She struck the ball really well on that goal."

UM's Amanda Mowery added another goal in the 76th minute, but that's as close as the Wolverines (1-3-1) would get. The Flyers ended up outshooting Michigan, 16-9. UM is the third Big Ten opponent UD has faced this season. Dayton knocked off nationally-ranked Indiana, 4-1, in their season opener.

"This win was a good way to start a four-game stretch," said Tucker.

UD hosts Cincinnati this Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Baujan Field as well as ACC powerhouse No. 12 Duke and Big East perennial power Rutgers.

"We had a lot of supporters from Dayton at the Michigan game. I can't tell you how much of a help it is to have crowd support," said Tucker. "We want to encourage people to come out and set a couple of attendance records at Baujan Field next week."