Aug. 18, 2009

After just three days of training together as a team, the University of Dayton men's soccer squad will face Butler University in an exhibition match Wednesday, Aug. 19 in Indianapolis. The game is slated for 5 p.m. ET at Varsity Field.

The Bulldogs went 13-3-4 last season, outscoring their opponents 35-16. Butler loses its leading goal scorer (Frank Patano with 12) and leading assist man (Eduardo Garcia with 13).

The Flyers seek to build upon a record-setting 2008 season which included a program-best 15 victories, a record-tying 46 goals scored, a third A-10 Championship title and a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.

UD leads the series 6-3-0. The last time the two teams faced off Dayton came away with a 3-2 win at Victory Field on Sept. 20, 2007. Alex Torda, Dayton's leading scorer the last two seasons, had a goal for the Flyers. Sonny Renner and Jeff Popella combined for the game-winning assist in the 78th minute.

The Flyers are the favorites to win the Atlantic 10 title and are in the Top 30 in three national preseason polls. Dayton is ranked No. 18 by the College Soccer News preseason rankings, No. 19 in the Top Drawer Soccer 2009 Men's Tournament 48 Ranking and No. 30 in the NSCAA National Preseason Rankings.

Dayton opens the 2009 regular season with a match against the Big East conference's Cincinnati at Baujan Field on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.