NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The University of Dayton women's soccer program earned 10 accolades today when the Atlantic 10 announced the 2020-21 Women's Soccer All-Conference and All-Academic Teams.

"We are excited for all of our young women receiving recognition from their peers in the Atlantic 10 for their outstanding performances this season," said UD head coach Eric Golz. "All of the recognition is well deserved, and we are very grateful for their significant contributions in the classroom, on the field, and in the campus community. 

"The performance of our team as whole helped to make these awards possible, and we all look forward to the opportunity to earn some more awards at the Atlantic 10 Championship."

Headlining the awards for UD is Flyer freshman Itala Gemelli who was named the Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year, as well as a First Team All-Conference forward and to the All-Rookie Team. Gemelli led the league in goals scored (9) and points (19). She ranks third in the NCAA in goals scored by a freshman. Gemelli, of Rochester, Mich. has started every match for the Flyers this year.

Three Flyers were named to the A-10 Second Team: sophomore midfielders Yaiza Navarro Leon and Jessica Sheldon and sophomore defender Mackenzie Lutz.

Navarro Leon has started in 12 matches and has two assists this season. The holding midfielder from Barcelona, Spain is creative on the ball and has great vision finding her teammates. Sheldon, from Medina, Ohio, has started all 13 matches and leads Dayton in assists with five. She also has one goal, and creates dangerous opportunities with her speed and crosses from out wide. Lutz, of Sylvania, Ohio, anchors the UD defense that has five shutouts. She's started 12 matches and has played 963 minutes.

Defender Katie Houck, of Smithon, Ill., and midfielder Madison Wilson, of London, Ontario, Canada, joined Gemelli on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Houck was part of the defense with five shutouts, starting all 13 matches with 966 minutes played and two assists. Wilson was second on the team in points (8) with three goals and two assists. She played in all 13 matches with nine starts.

Sheldon and senior Emma Thomas were named to the 11-person Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team.

Thomas, of Moon Township, Pa., is majoring in finance and has a 3.99 GPA. She saw action in 12 matches, with five starts for the Flyers. Thomas, who is part of Dayton women's soccer leadership team, was also named to 2019 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team.

Sheldon is a pre-medicine major with a 4.0 GPA.

The Flyers will compete in their league-record 24^th consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship, playing No. 1 seed Saint Louis this Thursday, April 15 at 1 p.m. ET at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis.