Facing an opponent who is ranked just outside of the top 25 would cause some soccer teams to back down and simply give up before the game is even played.

That is not true for the UD men's soccer team.

Thursday night, the Flyers played Michigan, a team starting the season 6-0-2 and just outside of a top 25 ranking. In front of a home crowd of over 1200 fans, the men where able to play strong and come out of the game tied with the Big Ten Conference school, 2-2.

Michigan started the game early, scoring their first goal in the 11th minute off a corner kick. The Flyers were able to respond in the 13th minute as senior transfer Terry Alvino slammed the ball 30 yards from the net, scoring his first goal as a Flyer.

Play in the first half continued with Michigan having eight shots and Dayton six, but no other goals being scored.

The start of the second half looked promising for the Flyers.

Within the first two minutes, senior Omar Jarun and George Nanchoff each had shots, with Jarun's being blocked by Michigan goalie Peter Dzubay and Nanchoff's shot going high. Dayton held control of the ball for most of the second half, as they ended up leading Michigan 12 shots to 3.

However, in the 76th minute Michigan's Steve Bonnell made a run down the lower right side, earning the Wolverine's a 2-1 lead. The Flyers were again quick to respond and in the 79th minute junior Jonathan Welsh scored off of a corner kick, tying the game at two. The second half ended with the scored tied, forcing the two teams into overtime.

Men's soccer coach Dennis Currier was impressed by the team's play throughout the two halves and was confident entering overtime.

"We have a very thick team," Currier said. "We felt we could still win the game in overtime."

Dayton had the lone shot in the first overtime. Welsh took a shot in the 95th minute, but Dzubay made the save for the Wolverines.

Since neither team scored, a second ten minute overtime was played.

In what could have been the game winning goal, senior Nate Darr looked to have passed the ball over the goal line, thus sealing the game for the Flyers.

Unfortunately, the play occurred after offsides was called on the Flyers.

Play continued as Dayton out shot Michigan, 4-1 but was unable to get the ball into the net. The game was called after the second overtime tied, 2-2.

Although not taking the win, Currier was very pleased with how his team played. He cited the competition Michigan brought to the game in allowing the men's team to prepare for the upcoming conference games and tournament.

The tie continues the men's soccer team's unbeaten streak at Baujan Field. After 11 games, the Flyers have not been beaten on their home turf.

The men will look to extend the unbeaten streak at home to 12 as they take on conference foe George Washington at Baujan Field Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.