DAYTON - The University of Dayton men's soccer team opens the 2022 regular season at the Ohio State Wolstein Classic this weekend. The Flyers kick-off the campaign with Cal Poly Thursday at 4 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium before facing South Carolina Sunday at 12 p.m.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton enters the season with a veteran squad and depth in multiple positions after going 6-9-3 overall last season and earning a berth in the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament. The Flyers were 3-4-1 in A-10 play and 1-0-1 in neutral site games.

Head coach Dennis Currier is in his 18th season in charge of the Flyers and was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for the 2020 season.

As a team, the Flyers averaged 1.39 goals per game and gave up 1.83 goals each outing. Dayton attempted 12.7 shots per game compared to 14.3 shots by opponents.

UD's top goal scorer from last year Forster Ajago leads the attack after scoring six goals and adding an assist in 2021. Fellow senior Andy Sanchez had a team-high four assists last year to go with two goals while senior defender Jaden Jones-Riley had three goals and two assists. Junior goalkeeper Dario Caetano earned the start between the posts after a strong preseason.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
CAL POLY
Cal Poly is coming off a 2021 season in which the Mustangs went 7-6-4 on the year and 5-1-3 in Big West play. Cal Poly highlighted the year with a five-game unbeaten streak down the stretch.

Head coach Steve Sampson is in his eighth season  at the helm and is a former U.S. Men's National Team coach.

As a team, Cal Poly averaged 1.12 goals per game last year while holding opposing teams to 0.88 goals each outing. The Mustangs are shooting at a lower rate however with 8.4 attempts per game to 11.4 given up.

Cal Poly enters the year with a young team, losing its top six scorers and the majority of its assists. Logan Thralls had two assists last season as a defender.

SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina enters the season after going 5-9-2 overall in 2021 and 1-5-2 in SEC games. The Gamecocks were 4-6-1 at home and did not play a neutral site game last year. They went winless in their final four contests.

Head coach Tony Annan is in his second season with the Gamecocks having previously served on the Atlanta United staff.

Overall, USC scored 19 goals last season while giving up 32 to opponents. The Gamecocks attempted 11 shots per game to 13.3 by opposing squads.

Junior forward Peter Clement and senior forward Logan Frost are the top returners with four goals and three assists each last season. Sophomore goalkeeper Tristan Himes made six starts in 2021 with a 2.15 goals against average.

LAST OUTING
Dayton finished up the preseason with a dominant performance against IUPUI at home on Aug. 20. The Flyers came out on top 7-0 after scoring five goals in the first half alone.

Cal Poly suffered a 1-0 loss to Santa Clara at home on Aug. 20, wrapping up the preseason.

South Carolina drew with Gardner-Webb on Aug. 20, 1-1. The Gamecocks tied both of their preseason contests and faces Ohio State Thursday before taking on the Flyers Sunday.

SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and Cal Poly have met one time previously with the Flyers coming out on top back in 2005 by a score of 1-0. That came in Coach Currier's first year at Dayton.

UD and South Carolina are meeting for the first time in program history.

FLYERS SIXTH IN PRESEASON POLL
Dayton was picked to finish sixth in the A-10 preseason poll ahead of Duquesne, Saint Joseph's, and Massachusetts. The Flyers were selected behind newcomers Loyola Chicago while Saint Louis was predicted to repeat as champions with 13 of the 14 first-place votes.

INTERNATIONAL FLAIR
Dayton historically has had a diverse team with players hailing from all over the globe. This season is no different with the Flyers having student-athletes from 10 different countries.

UP NEXT
The Flyers will return home to host the Dayton Flyer Classic on Friday, Sept 2 with St. Thomas and Sunday, Sept. 4 with Evansville.