DAYTON - The University of Dayton men's soccer team had a successful 2020-21 season despite facing challenges and overcoming obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last season, the Flyers were able to add another Atlantic 10 trophy to their collection, this one even more cherished after what the program went through not playing together for more than 15 months.

Dayton faced the University of Akron on Feb. 13 to return to action, and earned an impressive 2-1 victory in the exhibition match.

"It was exciting to finally get back on the field after a 15-month layoff," said head coach Dennis Currier. "It was a long journey just to get to this point. The team competed well against one of the best possession-oriented teams in Division I. Offensively, we were extremely dangerous on our counter attacks which resulted in both goals and a few near misses to put the game out of reach. We have so many weapons. Defensively, we held shape quite well and showed resilience when under pressure."

The Flyers' next contest was a tough 3-2 loss to Bowling Green at a neutral site before Dayton played Cedarville in an exhibition match, a 6-2 win at Baujan Field.

UD stumbled with a 2-1 defeat to Bellarmine and a conference-opening loss on the road at Saint Louis.

The Flyers sat at 0-3 on the year despite winning both exhibitions. Things did not look great for Dayton as it geared up for the final five A-10 games of the year. But then something shifted. The Flyer mentality came alive and the team came together.

After that moment, Dayton went on the road and earned a hard-fought 4-2 victory at Duquesne. The Flyers scored three goals in the span of 2:22 and picked up its first A-10 win of the season.

UD returned home and drew with a talented St. Bonaventure team despite scoring 1:42 into the game from Jonas Fjeldberg.

The Flyers got back on track in the next match with a thrilling 1-0 double overtime victory over Saint Louis at Baujan Field. Jake Feiner scored the game winner with just 13 seconds left.

In the next two games, the Flyers outscored Duquesne and St. Bonaventure by a combined 11-1 differential.

With the final game of the season, Dayton won its eighth overall title and fourth regular season championship. On top of that, the Flyers were the No. 1 seed in the A-10 Championship hosted at UD and Baujan Field.

Dayton would take on No. 4 seed George Washington in the COVID adjusted format of just the top four teams playing. The Flyers were unfortunately upset 1-0 and that ended their 2020-21 season.

The team finished 4-4-1 on the season and was 4-1-1 in A-10 play. The Flyers did manage the title, which meant so much more during the pandemic affected campaign.

Dayton had numerous individuals recognized throughout the season with awards and accolades.
Awards

• Jonas Fjeldberg – A-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2^nd time), A-10 First Team, First Team All-Region, A-10 Player of the Week, Senior CLASS Award Top 30 candidate, Drafted 54^th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by F.C. Cincinnati, R.U.D.Y.S. Award winner
• Kingsford Adjei – A-10 Midfielder of the Year (2^nd time), A-10 First Team, Second Team All-Region
• Toluwalase Oladienbo – A-10 Second Team
• Elias Harryson – A-10 Second Team
• Marc Kouadio – A-10 All-Rookie Team
• Xavier Zengue – Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Second Team
• Dominic Ruffolo – Dayton All-Academic Team
• Head coach Dennis Currier – A-10 Coach of the Year

 
The Flyers also said goodbye to the departing seniors Jonas Fjeldberg, Wariebi Jituboh, and Jack Steele. Thank you for all you have done for the program.