DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's soccer team hits the road to take on No. 21-ranked West Virginia in the 2026 opener at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
 
UD played a ranked opponent on the road in the non-conference portion of the 2025 season, leaving East Lansing, Mich. with a 1-1 draw against No. 12 Michigan State.
 
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
Dayton brought in 11 new student-athletes for the 2026 campaign, including six transfers and five freshmen.
 
The transfers include: Kasey Cannistraro (GK - Iowa State), Elise Canter (MF - Wright State), Millie Cluxton (MF - College of Charleston), Sophia Doumos (D - Seminole State), Eva Schreiber (D - Saint Louis) and Avery Strohecker (GK - Seton Hall).
 
The freshman are: Reese Gallagher (F), Kamryn Hoffman (D), Kelly McCandless (MF), Delaney Rollins (MF), and Campbell Wood (MF).
 
RETURNING FIREPOWER
Dayton returns plenty of firepower for the 2026 campaign with four of the Flyers' top five scorers from a season ago set to return. Leading the way is the top scorer from last season, junior forward Laney Smith (17 points - six goals, five assists). Reigning A10 Midfielder of the Year Liv Grenda is set to return after finishing the 2025 campaign with 16 points (six goals, four assists), while Olivia Baca (10 points, four goals, two assists) and Lauryn Contini (nine points, three goals, three assists).
 
A10 PRESEASON POLL
The Flyers were picked to repeat as champions of the Atlantic 10 Conference in the league's annual Preseason Poll this week.
 
The A10 Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Conference team, announced Monday morning, are voted on by the league's head coaches. Dayton, who went 10-0 in the league a season ago and won both the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament Championships, earned 188 points and nine first-place votes.
 
ALL-ATLANTIC 10 PRESEASON TEAM
UD was well represented on the Atlantic 10's preseason All-Conference team, with the junior quartet of Lauryn Contini, Liv Grenda, Bre Mendoza and Laney Smith earning the nod from the league's coaches.
 
Contini made 19 starts in her first season as a Flyer, totaling nine points thanks to three goals and three assists.
 
Grenda was named the A10 Midfielder of the Year after registering 16 points on a team-high six goals and four assists. The Perkasi, Pa. native was also named All-Atlantic 10 first team and A10 All-Academic team.
 
Mendoza, who earned All-A10 second team honors last season, was a key member of a Flyers' defense that posted 15 shutouts and allowed just 12 goals all season.
 
Smith was a first team All-Conference member last season after scoring six goals and adding five assist for 17 total points.
 
HERMANN WATCH LIST
Two Flyers were recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as Player to Watch at their respective positions in the lead up to the 2026 season, as juniors Liv Grenda and Laney Smith were both recognized by the organization.
 
The Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch List has put Grenda on its watchlist for National Player of the Year to go along with her spot on the organization's Midfielder to Watch list.
 
They've also recognized Smith as a Forward to Watch for the up coming season.
 
FLYER LEGACY - 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING
2026 marks two milestones for the UD women's soccer program, most notably it is the 30th anniversary of the first championship in program history.
 
The 1996 Flyers, in just their second year in the Atlantic 10, defeated La Salle (3-1), Fordham (1-0), and Rhode Island (0-0, 5-4 PKs) to lead UD to its inaugural championship.
 
Fast forward to present day - no other A10 program matches Dayton when it comes to league titles, leading the conference in both regular season (12) and tournament championships (11).
 
UP NEXT
Dayton opens its home schedule on Sunday, Aug. 16 when it plays host to the University of Toledo at 1 p.m. at Baujan Field.

---