Women’s soccer continues tough non-conference stretch
Junior forward Ashley Campbell, sporting UD’s new brand, boots a ball against UC Santa Barbara Friday, Aug. 29 in the Flyers home opener. UD won 2-0. Campbell recorded a goal and three shots. Chris Santucci/Photo Editor
Staff Report
The Big Ten Conference overwhelmed the Dayton Women’s Soccer team as the Ohio State University and Indiana University took down the Flyers at the Ohio State Tournament Sept. 5-7.
The Buckeye offense showed its teeth early scoring 67 seconds into the game and again before the 20 minute mark. Junior forward Ashley Campbell and sophomore midfielder Erin O’Malley netted goals for the Flyers, but OSU slotted two more en route to a 4-2 victory.
On Sunday, Sept. 7, senior forward Kelsey Smigel notched on a cross from Campbell to tie the contest 1-1 in the 81st minute. However, Indiana’s senior midfielder Jordan Woolums scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute. The 2-1 Flyer loss moves their record to 2-3-1. UD is 0-2 in two goal games this year.
Dayton will travel to the West Coast to face California’s Santa Clara Sept. 12 at 10 p.m. and Stanford University Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. Santa Clara is 3-2 and led by senior forward Sofia Huerta and her team-leading three goals. Santa Clara won the lone match between the two schools, a 3-1 victory over Dayton in 2001.
Sunday’s matchup features the No. 4 ranked Stanford Cardinal who is unbeaten in four matches. Stanford boasts victories over then No. 4 North Carolina, then No. 14 Portland and then No. 18 Duke. Goalkeepers Jane Campbell and Sarah Cox have yet to surrender a goal in 2014. Senior forward Chioma Ubogagu has three goals and an assist to lead Stanford. The Cardinal defeated Dayton 6-1 in 2001.
UD received three votes in the most recent women’s national rankings released on Sept. 2 and the Flyers are ranked No. 4 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region rankings also released Sept. 2.
Following the trip Dayton will host two more non-conference opponents, Ohio University and the University of Toledo, before their final non-conference matchup on the road at Oklahoma State University.
Saint Louis travels to Baujan Field Saturday Oct. 4 for a 5 p.m. kick-off in the Atlantic 10 Conference season. The 2013 Flyers won seven of eight conference matches including all four home games.
UD is looking for its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship since 2011. In the 2012 and 2013 championships, Dayton was eliminated in a shootout.