Nov. 17, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton (15-4-2) learned it will play at Illinois- Chicago (12-3-4) this Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the 50th NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The 48-team bracket was revealed Monday night on ESPNews on the 2008 Men's College Cup Selection Show.

"We knew going into the selection show that anyone we got would be a tough match," said UD head coach Dennis Currier. "Illinois-Chicago has experience playing in the national tournament and we're really looking forward to going to Chicago."

Cheers erupted as the Flyers learned their fate at Buffalo Wild Wings in Kettering, Ohio. Dayton is in the Michigan State Region.

UD, who broke a school record for wins and tied the single-season record for goals scored (46), earned an automatic bid by winning the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship.

"You go through a lot of stress during a conference tournament," said Currier. "It's a relief when it's all over and you've won it. We really just wanted to enjoy this night. Tomorrow we're going to get back to work and get ready for the game."

The two teams met once back on Sept. 13, 1991 and the Flyers picked up a 3-1 win. The Flyers will make their first-ever appearance in the tournament. Dayton participated in two NCAA play-in games (1997 and 1998), but this is its first automatic berth to the tournament.

"We've been playing really good soccer all year," said Currier. "We knew we had to win the A-10 Championship to get in. That really motivated the guys because they didn't want to see a great season go to waste."

The Flyers take their first step toward the ultimate goal - the College Cup which will be up for grabs in Frisco, Texas at Pizza Hut Park on Dec. 14.