DAYTON - The University of Dayton men's soccer team will travel just down the road to Columbus for the 2024 Ohio State Wolstein Classic this weekend. The Flyers will take on UNLV Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. before facing SIUE Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton is 1-1-0 on the year with a 5-1 victory over Detroit Mercy in the season opener and 3-0 loss to Jacksonville Sunday at Baujan Field. These will be the first contests away from home this year and the Flyers were 0-1-2 in neutral site games in 2023.

Head coach Dennis Currier is in his 20th year at Dayton and is the winningest coach in program history. He ranks eighth among active Division I coaches in career wins.

Dayton is averaging 2.50 goals per game and giving up 2.00 goals to opponents. The Flyers are out-shooting opposing teams 21.5 to 4.5, and ranks sixth in the nation in shots per game. UD also benefits from a 15-6 corner kick advantage.

Leading the way is sophomore Felix Buabeng who had a goal and two assists in the opener. Junior Joseph Melto Quiah, Georgia State transfer Ethan Sassine, and sophomore Braden Seel have already put their names on the scoresheet this year as well. Dayton has had six new players see action this season.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
UNLV
UNLV is unbeaten on the year after a season-opening win at home against Tulsa. The Rebels are coming off a 2023 campaign in which they went 7-8-4 and 3-3-2 in WAC play. Like the Flyers, UNLV advanced to the conference championship game, but unlike Dayton, came up short in a 2-1 loss to California Baptist.

Head coach BJ Craig is in his third season with UNLV.

The Rebels are averaging 2.00 goals per outing and have yet to give up a goal this season. UNLV narrowly outshot Tulsa 9-8 in the opener, but at a higher percentage.

Powering the offense is the duo of Brophy Howard and Mikah Madrid, who both scored in the opener, while the coach's son Jonah Craig provided the assist. Goalkeeper Hugo Lemos recorded five saves in the shutout.

SIUE
SIUE will face hosts Ohio State Thursday before battling the Flyers on Sunday. They come into the weekend with a 0-0-1 record after tying Michigan State at home in the season opener on Aug. 22.  The Cougars were 1-0 in neutral site contests last year.

Head coach Cale Wesserman is in his seventh season in charge of the Cougars.

SIUE is averaging 1.00 goal per game and giving up the same to opposing squads. The Cougars are being outshot 12-4, but have a .750 shots on goal percentage.

Leading the Cougars is Nic Muench, who has the lone goal this season, while Patrick Coleman provided the assist. Goalkeeper Rob Gjelaj will be between the posts this weekend and had five saves in the first game.

LAST OUTING
Dayton opened the season with an authoritative 5-1 victory over Detroit Mercy Thursday night at home. Sophomore newcomer Felix Buabeng recorded two assists and his first goal as a Flyer to lead the effort. UD out-shot the Titans 18-4 in the contest.

UNLV defeated Tulsa at home on Aug. 22 in the season opener. The Rebels scored in the 64th and 69th minute to start the year on a positive note.

SIUE drew in the season opener against Michigan State at home 1-1. The Cougars were outshot in the contest, but faced a talented Spartan squad.

SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and UNLV are meeting for the first time in program history.

The Flyers and SIUE are playing for the sixth time in program history with the Cougars holding a 3-2 series advantage. The last meeting took place back in 2012.

SETTING THE STANDARD
Dayton ranks third in the country in scoring offense and total goals while ranking fifth in total points and points per game.

Individually, Felix Buabeng is second in Division I in total assists and eighth in total points. Joseph Melto Quiah is also third in shots per game.

FLYERS PICKED 3RD IN PRESEASON POLL
Dayton was picked to finish third in the A-10 Preseason Poll and received three first-place votes. The Flyers were chosen behind preseason favorites VCU and Saint Louis and ahead of Loyola Chicago, Fordham, and Massachusetts.

DAYTON PAIR RECEIVES A-10 PRESEASON HONORS
Dayton had a pair of student-athletes recognized on the preseason all-conference team by the Atlantic 10. Midfielders Miles Bonham and Joseph Melto Quiah made up two of the three players selected to the midfield.

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 14 international student-athletes coming from 11 different countries.

WELCOME TO DAYTON
The Flyers brought in 14 new players including nine freshman for the 2024 season.

UP NEXT
The Flyers will return to action on Monday, Sept. 9 at No. 7 Indiana at 8 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium.