RHODE ISLAND (14-3-3)
Starters: Schmidt (GK), Karterud, Kristiansen, Middrup, Benco, Zarokostas, Kolakofsky, Tamburini, Booth, Maddox, Akselsen
Substitutes: Trcka, Read, Drayer, Kawale

DAYTON (13-8)
Starters: Barrios (GK), Harryson, Ntsin, Watkins, Aug, Antwi, Adjei, Fjeldberg, Feiner, Oladeinbo, Zengue
Substitutes: Degler, Glisson, Don Santos, Taneski, Sanchez

Scoring Summary
50:25 - URI - Akselsen (Benco) 

How it Happened
Top-seeded Rhode Island won its second straight Atlantic 10 title, blanking third-seeded Dayton 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Fordham's Jack Coffey Field. With the win, the Rams claim the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

With the Rhody defense shutting down the league's top-scoring offense, Edvin Akselsen paved the way for the Rams to make their 13th trip to the NCAA Tournament with his 51st-minute game-winning goal. Taking a long, 50-yard pass from Ludvik Benco down the right side, Akselsen went to work. He cut back to his left, faking out a Dayton defender, then went immediately back to his right foot and fired a low crossing shot that went through Flyer keeper Federico Barrios and inside the left post.

It was all the offense Rhode Island needed, as the defense and midfield did the rest. URI dominated ball possession in the first half, and limited Dayton to just three shots on goal for the game.

There was just one shot on goal in the first half, which went to Dayton in the ninth minute. Toluwalase Oladeinbo corralled a ball at the top of the box, turned and managed a low shot, but Stefan Schmidt made the stop on his line.

Dayton had a strong chance in the 21st minute when a crossing pass was headed into the net. However, the ball had crossed the end line before the pass, giving Rhode Island a goal kick.

Inside the Box Score

• Senior Ludvik Benco was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Championship. In addition to assisting on the game-winning goal Sunday, Benco converted his penalty kick attempt in Friday's semifinal shootout against Fordham, and helped the Rams record two shutouts in the tournament.
• Joining Benco on the all-championship team were goalie Stefan Schmidt, defender Peder Kristiansen and midfielder Edvin Akselsen
• This was the second time the Rams have met the Flyers in the A-10 finals. The first was in 2000, when current URI head coach Gareth Elliott led the Rams to a 5-1 victory and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
• Elliott has now been a part of seven A-10 titles with Rhode Island. Two as a player, three as an assistant coach and two as a head coach.
• Elliott is 10-4 all-time at the Atlantic 10 Championship.
• The shutout was the seventh of the season for keeper Stefan Schmidt.
• Rhode Island had an 8-3 edge in corner kicks, including a 7-1 advantage in the first half.
• It was a physical game, with the Rams whistled for 21 fouls, compared to nine for Dayton.

Up Next
Rhode Island will learn its fate during the NCAA Selection Show Monday at 1 p.m. The show can be viewed on NCAA.com.