DAYTON – Senior Kyra Karfonta and sophomore Laney Smith netted goals as the University of Dayton women's soccer team topped Loyola Chicago 2-0 in the Atlantic 10 home opener on Thursday evening at Baujan Field.
 
The victory improves Dayton to 5-3-2 on the campaign and 2-0 in the A-10. It was just the second loss of the season for Loyola, who is now 6-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
 
Karfonta netted the first goal of the night courtesy of a penalty kick, putting the Flyers ahead in the 38th minute of the competition. Redshirt sophomore Olivia Baca drew the foul on the Ramblers defense inside the box to set up the tally.
 
The two sides played even throughout the second half when Smith provided the dagger in the 86th minute. UD threatened on a lob through the box when sophomore Lauryn Contini settled the ball and found Smith outside the box. The Fort Thomas, Ky. native smashed a low shot from 20-feet and beat the keeper for the dagger.
 
The Flyers' pair of goals came against the A-10's stingiest defense, as the Ramblers came into the night allowing 0.333 goals per game. That goals-against average not only topped the conference, but was seventh-best in the country. Loyola also boasted the third-best shutout percentage in the country at 0.778 before tonight.
 
Dayton's defense shined, as senior keeper Batoul Reda along with the defensive unit of Bre Mendoza, Lauren Fields, Caroline Schork, Ella Raimondi and Kyra Karfonta tallied their seventh shutout of the season and third consecutive clean sheet.
 
KEY STATS
18 – total shots for Dayton in the game
8 – shots on goal for UD, with Olivia Baca leading the charge with two
5 – corner kicks for the Flyers
4 – points on the campaign for Lauryn Contini after picking up an assist
3 – goals on the season for Laney Smith to lead the Flyers
2 – saves for Reda, who faced five total shots in the game
 
UP NEXT
The Flyers once again play in the friendly confines of Baujan Field on Sunday, Sept. 28 when they take on Duquesne at 1 p.m.