Second place finish in A-10 women’s soccer standings, quarterfinal home game for Flyers
Baujan Field will host next Sunday’s Atlantic 10 quarterfinal game between the Flyers and visiting Richmond Spiders. Photo courtesy of Keegan Gupta, Flyer News
Peter Burtnett | Sports Editor
The University of Dayton women’s soccer team wrapped up the regular season with wins over Fordham and Richmond in the last week, earning a second-place finish in the Atlantic 10 standings and a home quarterfinal game Oct. 31.
On Oct. 21, the Flyers and Rams were at a standstill at halftime, but that quickly changed. Sophomore midfielder Diana Benigno opened the scoring with a 22-yard rocket into the upper right corner of the net in the 52 minute. Then, in the 74 minute, redshirt sophomore winger Alicia Donley answered a cross from sophomore forward Itala Gemelli, and one minute later, junior Laney Huber scored off a corner kick delivery from sophomore wide midfielder Madison Wilson. The goals for Donley and Huber were the fifth goal for both players individually.
On Sunday, the Flyers once again ran rampant, this time with a quicker start against the Spiders. In just the fourth minute, Huber scored again on a crossing pass from junior winger Jessica Sheldon, who scored 25 minutes later, ultimately sending the Flyers into halftime with a comfortable lead. That lead would grow just five minutes into the second half when Gemelli scored off another Sheldon assist.
The Flyers cruised through the rest of the game, and finished the regular season 11-5-2. With a record of 8-2-0 in A-10 play, the Flyers clinched a No. 2 seed in the A-10 tournament, which clinches a home game in the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinal match-up, the Flyers will once again face the Richmond Spiders, this time at Baujan Field on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.
With a win, the Flyers would advance to face either Saint Louis or Rhode Island on Friday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. That match could either be played in Dayton, Ohio, or Richmond, Virginia, depending on whether No. 1-seeded VCU wins or loses against St. Joseph’s (highest remaining seed after quarterfinals hosts semifinals and championship).
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