DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton men’s soccer team (2-11, 1-2 A-10) scored three times in a 3-0 shutout of the George Washington Colonials (4-5-2, 2-1 A-10) at Baujan Field on Friday. The Colonials were tied for first place in the Atlantic 10 entering the weekend before Dayton’s victory.

“We came out really strong and we got in behind their defense several times. I really felt that we had good energy tonight, and that it was just a matter of time. All around it was a great team performance,” Dayton head coach Dennis Currier said.

Junior newcomer Auston Smyth tallied his first career goal as a Flyer. Senior newcomer Amoh Kwaku also notched his first goal for Dayton. Sophomore Abe Keller scored Dayton’s additional goal.

“We have been working hard on trying to find the right combinations,” Currier said. “Ultimately, we were able to hold the ball up better. We really worked on getting penetrating passes and runs in behind the defense and we did that a lot better tonight.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Alec Storm made five saves in his second shutout of the year. Both of Dayton’s wins this season have come off of shutouts.

Dayton attacked early and often in the shutout. Junior Evan McCreary rifled a shot just 34 seconds into the match to test GW goalkeeper Alejandro Almodovar. McCreary had another opportunity three minutes later when he was fouled from behind after going 1 v. 1 against Almodovar. McCreary failed to convert, but the Flyers were soon able to capitalize on the offensive surge.

In the 10th minute Smyth got a piece of the ball on a corner kick from Andres Acevedo to put the Flyers ahead 1-0 early in the match.

UD scrapped hard for the insurance tally, and was rewarded after a hand ball in the box by GW gave the Flyers their second penalty kick of the contest. Keller laced the ball into the net to put Dayton in front 2-0 in the 59th minute.

“We missed a penalty kick early in the match, and it was crucial that I scored [on my opportunity],” Keller said. “It was also a massive relief for me to score, but the biggest thing is that we won. It’s crucial that we keep doing the right things on the pitch and keep it going, because we have a good thing going.”

Kwaku laced a hard shot in the 68th minute which Almodovar tipped over the net. The subsequent corner kick yielded Kwaku’s first collegiate goal when he jammed home Keller’s corner kick near post.

Dayton returns to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Richmond Spiders (2-9-1, 1-2 A-10) at Baujan Field. Admission is free to all University of Dayton regular season home matches.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13