DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's soccer team continues Atlantic 10 play this week, as they will play two consecutive road matches for the first and only time this conference season. The Flyers will take on the George Mason Patriots Thursday night in Fairfax, Va., and then will travel up the coast to take on Massachusetts in a Sunday matinee.
 
FLYER FACTS
The Flyers enter Thursday's match against George Mason on a season-high five match winning streak, including three consecutive shutout victories. Dayton currently sits tied atop the Atlantic 10 at 2-0 in conference play, currently tied with Saint Louis as the only two unbeaten sides.
 
Defense has been a major contributor to the Flyers' success as of late, as they have only surrendered one total goal throughout their current five match winning streak. Currently boasting a streak of 291 minutes without surrendering a goal, the Flyers average just 0.70 goals against per match on the year as a whole.
 
Reigning Offensive Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10 Itala Gemelli remains on pace to do much of the same in 2022, as she currently leads the A-10 in points (18), goals (8), and match-winning goals (6). On the back line, A-10 First Team Defender from a season ago Mackenzie Lutz continues to lead the Flyers in minutes played (885), while leading a defense that ranks 55^th in Division I in goals against average (0.70).
 
SCOUTING GEORGE MASON
The Patriots enter the week just 0-0-1 in Atlantic 10 play, after an opening 1-1 draw against George Washington. George Mason is paced offensively by Sarah DeWitt, who leads the team in points (4) and goals (2) through nine matches. Offense has been difficult to come by for the Patriots, who average just a goal per match while giving up an average of 1.89 per match.
 
Thursday's meeting between the two teams will be the ninth overall meeting, with Dayton holding a slight all-time advantage at 5-3. The Flyers have won the last two meetings against the Patriots, including a 5-1 victory in the fall of 2021. The Patriots last beat the Flyers in 2018, the last time the match was played in Fairfax.
 
SCOUTING MASSACHUSETTS
The Minutewomen seem to have found their form in Atlantic 10 play after battling through a challenging non-conference schedule. UMass took down Davidson on Sunday to run their A-10 record to 1-0-1 after a conference-opening draw at VCU. Lauren Bonavita will be a name to watch in Sunday's contest, as she is tied with Dayton's Itala Gemelli for the Atlantic 10 lead in goals scored with eight.
 
Sunday's contest will mark the 25^th ever meeting between the two sides, with Dayton holding a 19-5-1 all-time record against the Minutewomen. The two last met in 2019 in Amherst, Mass., where each side would get a goal in a 1-1 draw. UMass broke a nine match winning streak for the Flyers with their victory in 2018 at Baujan Field. The Flyers had previously won each match-up since 2009.

Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats also available using the links at the top of the story. Follow @DaytonWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram for highlights and live updates.