DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's soccer team enters their last week of regular season play, as they will split home and road matches, hosting the Fordham Rams on Thursday before heading to Richmond, VA to take on the Richmond Spiders on Sunday.
 
The Flyers remain in a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10, just two games behind 8-0 VCU. Dayton carries a two-game winning streak into this week's matches following a 3-1 win at St. Bonaventure. The Flyers close the regular season looking to stay hot, as they host one-win Fordham before preparing for a battle on the road against Richmond, who is one game back of the Flyers in the standings. Sitting in a tie for second place in the conference at 6-2, Dayton can solidify their spot in the A-10 tournament with two wins before the end of the year. The Flyers' offense has come alive lately, averaging 3.2 goals per match in their last five while only surrendering 1.8.
 
Itala Gemelli  (10 goals) has been scorching hot as of late, scoring 9 goals through Atlantic 10 play. The Flyers as a team score just under two goals per match at 1.94. Junior defender Mackenzie Lutz  has anchored the Flyers back-line. She leads all field players in minutes played with 1314 and has started all 15 of Dayton's matches on the season.
 
SCOUTING FORDHAM
The Rams enter Thursday's match with a 3-11-2 overall record, with a 1-6-1 mark in Atlantic 10 play. Offense has been a major issue for the Rams thus far, scoring only .63 goals per game in A-10 conference play. While the offense has struggled, their defense has been passable, allowing only 1.5 goals per game in conference play. Caitlin Kennedy (5 goals) and Milan Bornstein (4 goals) lead the Fordham offensive attack, while Claudia Cuicani (1488 mins.) anchors the defensive end. Fordham rotates several goalkeepers, with Serena Mensah leading the group. Mensah has played and started 11 games, while allowing 1.86 goals per match.
 
SCOUTING RICHMOND
Richmond will play the Flyers very tough, as they sit only one game back of Dayton in the A-10 standings, with two games remaining. The Spiders have had a very up-and-down season in conference, with an 11goal differential in wins, and 3-8 goal differential in losses. Defense is key for the Spiders, as each A-10 win has come by way of a clean sheet. Richmond boasts a three-headed scoring attack, led by Jessie Prillaman (6 goals), TJ Anderson (5 goals), and Molly Wierman (4 goals). The Spiders also have two solid net-minders, with Claire Hinkle playing in 9 games and allowing 1.81 goals per game, and Taylor Montague playing 8 games and allowing 1.86 goals per game. Richmond will travel to St. Louis to face the Billikens on Thursday evening before the Flyers come to town for a Sunday matinee.
 
The Flyers' regular season will conclude this week, with the first round of the A-10 Tournament beginning on October 31^st. With two positive results this week, the Flyers can mathematically ensure themselves to host an Atlantic 10 quarterfinal on Halloween afternoon.