DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's soccer team will enter the penultimate week of the regular season, as they will split home and road matches, hosting the George Washington Colonials on Thursday before heading to Olean, N.Y. to take on St. Bonaventure on Sunday.
The Flyers remain in a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10, just two games behind 6-0 VCU. Dayton saw their four-match winning streak snapped on Sunday, as they fell by a 3-1 final score to the first-place VCU Rams. The Flyers have a favorable remaining schedule, with only one of their remaining four matches against a team that is above .500, their final match of the season against the Richmond Spiders. Sitting in a three-way tie for second place in the conference at 4-2, Dayton can control their own destiny with positive results in their final four matches of the conference season. The Flyers' defense has been a major catalyst for their success this season, averaging just above a goal per match allowed throughout the regular season.
Itala Gemelli (6 goals) and
Marlee Taylor (5 goals) have been a potent attack duo throughout the season, ranking second and third in the Atlantic 10 in goals scored this season. The Flyers as a team score just under two goals per match at 1.71. Junior defender
Mackenzie Lutz leads all field players in minutes played, starting 13 of Dayton's 14 matches on the season, logging 1,155 minutes played.
SCOUTING GEORGE WASHINGTON
The Colonials enter Thursday's match with a 1-11-2 overall record, with a 1-5 mark in Atlantic 10 play. Defense has been a major issue for GW thus far, averaging almost two and a half goals allowed per match (2.43). The Colonials offense has also been stagnant for the majority of the season, scoring only 10 goals on the season in 14 matches played. George Washington only features two multiple goal scorers on the roster, Sammy Neyman and Kelly Amador. Goalkeeper Tamaki Machi has made 72 saves in her 11 starts, but has also allowed 29 goals with a 0-6-1 record.
SCOUTING ST. BONAVENTURE
St. Bonaventure will be a very focused team when the Flyers come to Olean, N.Y. on Sunday, as they currently sit in a tie for 7
th in the Atlantic 10 standings, with only the top eight teams qualifying for the #A10WSOC Championship at the end of October. The Bonnies have had a very up-and-down season, averaging out to a 5-6-3 overall record, with a 3-3 mark in A-10 play. Balance is the key for the Bonnies success, as they have both scored and allowed five goals in their six conference matches thus far this season. Forward Cristina Torres leads all Atlantic 10 goal scorers with nine on the season, three more than the next closest, including
Itala Gemelli with six. Chiara Gottinger has faced 189 shots this season, making 94 saves and allowing 15 goals. The Bonnies will host the Rhode Island Rams on Thursday evening before the Flyers come to town for a Sunday matinee.
The Flyers' regular season will conclude next week, as they will host Fordham on Oct. 21 before finishing the conference slate at Richmond on Sunday, Oct. 24. Thursday's match at Baujan Field will feature a student cowbell giveaway.
