The University of Dayton men’s soccer team is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2024 season as they prepare to host Detroit Mercy on Thursday, August 22 at 7 p.m. at Baujan Field. Coming off a successful 2023 season where they clinched the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament and secured an automatic bid for the NCAA Championship tournament, the Flyers are looking to build on their success and make a strong push for another national tournament appearance.
Head coach Dennis Currier is optimistic about the team’s chances this season, stating, „We have another schedule that allows us a chance at an at-large bid to the national tournament.“ The Flyers will face tough non-conference opponents such as IU, WMU, SIUE, and WVU, all of whom competed in the national tournament last season. Additionally, they will have a challenging A-10 schedule ahead of them. The team’s goal is to achieve back-to-back national tournament appearances, and they believe they have the talent and depth to make it happen.
The Flyers have a well-balanced team with many returning players from the A-10 Championship team. Senior goalkeeper, who has played every minute in his two years at Dayton, is expected to anchor the defense. Sophomores Miles Bonham and Braden Seel will play key roles in the center midfield, while graduate student Hjalti Sigurdsson, who earned A-10 All-Rookie and All-Tournament team honors in defense last season, will provide leadership at the back. Junior Joseph Melto Quiah, who earned A-10 Second Team honors with four goals and five assists, will lead the attack.
In addition to the returning players, Coach Currier has added 14 new players to the roster, with five of them having collegiate experience. These newcomers will add depth and competition to every position on the team. Players from various countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, France, Denmark, Brazil, and across the U.S. bring a diverse range of skills and experiences to the team.
Fans can follow the Flyers throughout the season on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The team’s first regular-season game will take place on Thursday, August 22 at Baujan Field, where they will look to start their season on a high note.
Overall, the University of Dayton men’s soccer team is poised for another successful season as they aim to build on their past achievements and make a strong push for a national tournament appearance. With a mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers, the Flyers have the potential to achieve their goals and make their mark in the college soccer world.