ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Hannah Lapp converted a penalty kick to tie the game, Anna Cunningham headed in the game-winner from 12 yards out, and upset-minded St. Bonaventure snapped Dayton's 12-game win streak with a 2-1 victory Sunday at McGraw-Jennings Field on senior day.
The Bonnies (10-7-0, 4-3-0 Atlantic 10) posted their first win over the Flyers (15-3-0, 7-1-0 A-10) in 13 games. Dayton, which had not lost a regular-season A-10 match since Oct. 24, 2008 (20-0-1), suffered just its fourth loss in its last 41 games.
The win lifts the Bonnies into a tie for fourth in the A-10 standings with 12 points.
"I just can't be more happy or proud for my seniors," said Bonnies' coach Manoj Khettry, a former assistant at Dayton. "It's a great way for them to close out their careers here at McGraw-Jennings.
"I think anytime a team steps onto the field and plays with as much heart and commitment and belief as we did today, then I think anything is possible."
Predicted to win the Atlantic 10 this year, Dayton scored the game's first goal when league scoring leader Colleen Williams sent a short cross to Jerica DeWolfe. DeWolfe got a touch and sent the ball just under the crossbar to give the Flyers the lead just eight minutes in.
After battling back and forth evenly, the Bonnies sustained effort netted a corner that resulted in a PK for Lapp. Shannon Van Riper headed Sarah Clark's bending corner kick towards goal, but Dayton's Alysha Mallon reached out and swatted it away intentionally, earning an automatic red card for herself and a penalty attempt for the Bonnies. Lapp finished the play with a rising penalty shot just inside the far post to tie the game, 1-1.
Just eight minutes later, freshman defender Taylor Broderick directed a ball from 40 yards out. Senior Anna Cunningham made a run and headed the ball back to the far post to send St. Bonaventure to its third straight win and second substantial upset over a perennial power after a 3-1 upset at Charlotte Oct. 8. The loss was the 49ers' first conference loss since Oct. 28, 2007.
Nicole Markert improved to 9-4 in goal with the win, while Dayton's Lisa Rodgers (11-1) was credited with her first loss of the year.
The Bonnies close out the regular season next weekend at George Washington and Richmond on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Â Â
NOTES: Dayton's last conference loss was a 4-0 blanking at Charlotte … St. Bonaventure has earned a 7-1 record at home this season, with the only loss coming in double overtime … Khettry dyed his hair blonde in honor of his seniors … SBU outshot the Flyers 14-9.
