NEWPORT NEWS, VA – The Atlantic 10 Conference released it's postseason awards on Thursday morning, and the Flyers were very well represented, with three players listed First Team All-Conference, two on Second Team All-Conference, one All-Academic, and
Itala Gemelli being named the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year.
The Flyers had a regular season for the record books in 2021, and each of the Atlantic 10 honorees had a big hand in that success.
Jessica Sheldon was named to the conference's All-Academic Team for her success on and off the field, the second consecutive season the junior has earned this prestigious honor. Two other Flyer juniors were honored on Thursday, as
Marlee Taylor and
Laney Huber were named Second Team All-Conference. Taylor ranks third on the Flyers with six goals and 15 points, while Huber has surged up the leader boards late in the season, becoming the second-leading goal and point scorer with seven goals and 16 points.
The All-Conference First Team featured at least one Flyer at every field position, beginning with
Mackenzie Lutz on defense. Lutz has anchored the Flyer defense all season, playing every minute of the majority of Dayton's matches this season, and making several crucial tackles in key spots this year. Moving up to the midfield,
Jessica Sheldon was named to the Atlantic 10 First Team for her stellar play in the middle for Dayton this year, tallying 14 points on the year, including four goals and six assists.
Itala Gemelli was named to the Atlantic 10 First Team as a forward, and was also named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. Gemelli leads the A-10 in points with 28, and ranks second in goals with 12 on the season, improving on her nine goals a season ago that led her to be named the A-10 Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year. The sophomore has amassed 64 shots on the season, only seeing action in 16 of UD's 19 matches this season due to injury. Her 40 shots on goal also lead the A-10, averaging 2.50 shots on goal per game this year.
The Flyers will be back in action in the Atlantic 10 Semifinals on Friday, as they host the Saint Louis Billikens in a 4:00 p.m. match at Baujan Field. Admission to the match is free, and it will also be streamed live on ESPN+. The two winners of Friday's semifinals matches will meet in the Atlantic 10 Championship match on Sunday at Baujan Field at noon.
