Dayton Muscles Mustangs, 6-4

DAYTON - The Dayton Bulldog soccer team took on the Northport Mustangs at St. George in Spokane last Saturday and were met with success, taking a 6-4 victory over the Mustangs.

In the first half, the Mus- tangs scored the first point on a penalty kick.

The Bulldogs adjusted to the deficit and responded with strong defense. The Bulldogs' usual keeper, Wil- lie Weppler, was out with a broken thumb and was replaced this game by Ian Smay.

Smay fought hard, head coach DJ Frame said.

"(Smay) did a good job," Frame said. "I liked how he performed for us."

Frame said Smay kept up a connection with the defense by talking and communicating so the line was less likely to be caught off guard.

The Bulldogs matched the Mustangs and kept the ball out of their own goal, but had a tough time getting the ball into the net in Mustang territory.

After halftime, the Bulldogs came back with a ven- geance, communicating across the team where there have previously been issues, Frame said.

Recently injured Marshall Nechodom returned during the second half and demonstrated how much better he felt by scoring for the Bulldogs.

Courtney Fuller and Pedro Barbosa de Deus both also scored for the Bulldogs.

"Probably the best part of the game was when the forwards were working to- gether," Frame said.

He added that the for- wards were able to work the ball back and forth down the field rather than letting one player try to take the ball down the field alone.

Frame said the team didn't know what kind of challenge the Mustangs would be going into the game, but they adjusted well to the challenge.

Frame said all of the starters are back from academic probation and the team no longer has any athletes out for poor grades.

The next game will be at 4 p.m. on Oct. 19 against Trout Lake.