The Panthers used a strong kicking game, field position and a team effort to defeat Dayton Saturday 72-5, extending their winning streak to 13 games.

The first half started off slowly for both teams. Early on, the Flyers came out running and playing aggressively. This caught the Panthers off guard, head coach Frank Graziano said. “Dayton found some girls who liked to run hard and aggressively,” Graziano said. The Panthers responded to this by scoring the game’s first goal 10 minutes into the game.

A minute later, the Panthers made the score 10-0. After another goal by the Panthers, the Flyers got on the board with 11 minutes left in the first half. The score was a result of missed Panther tackles Graziano said. The Panthers showed no panic and responded with a Mary Archer goal with 10:35 left in the half. Both teams battled for the ball and control of the last 10 minutes of the half.

The Panthers led the Flyers 22-5 at the end of the first half.

Eastern figured out the Flyers ” gameplan in the second half Graziano said. This led to 50 unanswered points by the Panthers. The scoring started early in the second for the Panthers as junior Allegra Hoppingarner started the scoring with a goal in the first minute of play.

Kate Taake scored her first of two goals with nine minutes later to put Eastern up by 31. Soon after, sophomore scrumfhalf Marlise Davidson added to the score. After Davidson’s score, the Panthers scored five more times, all courtesy of different players.

On defense, the Panthers intensity picked up with the Flyers aggressive approach. “We probably had more tackles in this game than the first two games combined” Graziano said.

Overall, Graziano was pleased on what he saw in his team’s performance Saturday. He said he was happy on how well the team controlled the field.

“The Girls are really understanding the tactics of control and showed no panic after the Flyers lone goal,” Graziano said.

He also was pleased with the performance of junior flyhalf Jamie Buenzow and prop/ hooker Desi Pence. “Jamie did a great job of moving the ball all around field with her kicking,” Graziano said.

At one point in the game, Buenzow made made five two-point kicks in a row. ” Desi played a good game and had a couple of good scores,” Graziano said. Two of the Panthers’ biggest games are in the upcoming weeks.

They will be playing Ohio State and Penn State. In practice, they will be working on their game. In the film sessions, they will be grading individual performances and improving on them.