Game #1 - Ohio State 2, Cincinnati 2 (F/2OT) - Box Score
Game #2 - Dayton vs. Furman -
DAYTON - After a 1-1 start, the University of Dayton women's soccer team opens its home schedule by hosting the Nike Dayton Flyer Invitational this weekend at Baujan Field. The talented, four-team field features UD, Ohio State and Furman -- all perennial NCAA Tournament teams -- along with one of the newest member of the Big East, Cincinnati. Tonight's match-ups feature the 10th-ranked Buckeyes versus the Bearcats at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Flyers putting a 12-match home-winning streak on the line against the Paladins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's matches start at 11:00 a.m. with OSU taking on Furman followed at 1:30 p.m. by UD and UC.
LOOKING AHEAD The Flyers will head back to the road next weekend at one of the nation's premier in-season invitationals -- the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic, hosted by the University of Virginia. Friday, the Flyers will battle Colonial Athletic Association powerhouse William & Mary and will play the host Cavaliers, ranked No. 5, Sunday.
SCHEDULE STRENGTH The Flyers' 2005 slate features five teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year - Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, William & Mary and Furman. Three of those teams are ranked in Soccer Buzz's Preseason Top 30 (Virginia at No. 5, West Virginia at No. 11, Texas at No. 27). UD is one of six teams receiving votes.
UD STARTS SEASON 1-1 The Flyers rebounded from their opener at 11th-ranked West Virginia University last Friday night to defeat Ohio University, 1-0, in Athens on Sunday. Senior forward Reba Sedlacek scored the match's lone goal with an assist from freshman Amanda Gallow in the fifth minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Niki Reed made two saves in recording her first shutout as a Flyer. Friday, the Flyers couldn't overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit and fell to the Mountaineers 3-1 in Morgantown -- their second consecutive season-opener on the road against a Top 25 opponent. Last year, UD fell 3-2 at No. 8 Florida to open the campaign.
SCOUTING FURMAN Furman and Dayton have met just once previously, with the Flyers taking a 1-0 decision in 2003 at the Furman Select Kickoff Classic. A powerhouse from the Southern Conference, Furman was 14-9 last year (9-2 in the league) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time since 1994. Furman is 1-1 this year coming off a 2-1 loss to South Carolina Sunday.
SCOUTING CINCINNATI The Flyers won last year's meeting in Cincinnati 2-0, but trail in the overall series 3-10-1. The game last year renewed the rivalry after a nine-year gap where the teams did not play each other. The Bearcats are 1-1 the season, on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Michigan State Sunday.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes come to Dayton 2-0 and ranked 10th, opening the season with wins over Kent State and Xavier.
