DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's soccer team returns to home action this week, as they are set to host George Washington Thursday at Baujan Field before heading back on the road for their first-ever conference meeting against Loyola on Sunday.
 
FLYER FACTS
Dayton enters the week riding a seven-match winning streak, their longest such streak in nearly ten seasons, dating back to the fall of 2013 when they won eight in a row. Defense has been crucial to the Flyers' success to this point in the season, as they average just 0.67 goals against per match. Mackenzie Lutz continues to lead the way for the Flyers defense, starting all 12 matches and leading all field players with 1048 minutes played, without receiving any cards to this point.
 
Less than a year removed from being named the A-10's Offensive Player of the Year a season ago, Itala Gemelli has put together another Player of the Year caliber season in 2022, as she ranks second in the A-10 in goals scored (8), and also leads the entire NCAA with six match-winning goals. Her eight goals leads the team, and has helped the Flyers offense score an average of 1.83 goals per match. Natalie Hegg has made solid contributions to the offense from the back line, ranking second on the roster in points with six (2G, 2A). Senior Laney Huber has come into form offensively during Dayton's current win streak, scoring three points since the start of conference play.
 
Freshman keeper Batoul Reda has led the way for the Flyers in net this season, making 26 saves in her rookie campaign. The Dearborn, Mich. native has started six matches while appearing in nine, surrendering just a 0.82 goals-against average, while boasting a 6-1-0 record. Senior Madelyn Dewey has also started four matches and appeared in five, making ten saves and surrendering only two goals.
 
SCOUTING GEORGE WASHINGTON
The Colonials will head to Baujan Field Thursday still in search of their first Atlantic 10 victory, entering the match with a 3-2-5 overall record, and a 0-2-2 mark in A-10 competition. GW started A-10 play against George Mason, a team the Flyers beat 4-0 on Sept. 22, and played to a 1-1 draw in Washington, D.C on Sept. 15. After a 2-2 draw at Fordham on Sept. 18, the Colonials have lost two straight matches, a 2-1 road loss at La Salle and a 3-0 defeat at home against Loyola. George Washington is lead on offense by grad student Rachel Sorkenn, who is tied for sixth in the Atlantic 10 with six goals scored this season.
 
The Flyers and Colonials will meet Thursday for the 21^st time, with the Flyers holding a 15-5-0 advantage in the series all-time. George Washington has won two of the last three matches dating back to 2017. Dayton was victorious the last time these two teams met, a 4-2 win at Baujan Field last fall in a match on Oct. 14 that saw the Colonials score twice in the first three minutes of the match, and the Flyers storm back in the second half to score four goals, including a game winner from Itala Gemelli.
 
SCOUTING LOYOLA
The Rambler's enter the week of competition with a 6-3-2 overall record, and a 2-1 mark in Atlantic 10 play. Loyola has played an incredibly strong schedule to this point in the season, having already played three teams ranked in the top-25. Their most recent ranked opponent was #10 Saint Louis, who the Ramblers played in their second conference match, and fell by a 3-2 margin on the road. The Ramblers' A-10 wins include George Washington on the road, and La Salle at home in Chicago.
 
While this will be the first match-up with both teams competing in the Atlantic 10, this will not be the first time the two sides meet. The Ramblers and Flyers have met six previous times in women's soccer, with Dayton winning all six match-ups. Sunday's match in Chicago will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2011, when the Flyers won 3-0. In six matches against Dayton, Loyola has not scored a single goal.

 
Both Thursday and Sunday's matches will be streamed live on ESPN+. Thursday's match as always will be free to attend at Baujan Field, as the Flyers play their annual Mental Health Awareness match. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free stress ball, and the first 100 students will receive free t-shirts.