“I think we’re starting to get a little more healthy, which has helped,” coach Tim Horsmon said Wednesday. “There’s still a lot of room to get better, which I think is also exciting for us. The last couple of matches, we’ve seen glimpses of who we can be.”
A year ago, the Flyers finished 30-2. No Division I team had a better winning percentage. Dayton returned its entire starting lineup. Before this season, Horsmon said the Flyers could be even better, though the record might not match last year's because of the tough schedule.
Dayton opened the season with a 3-0 loss to Cal Poly but then won its next three matches. September started with a 3-0 loss to Iowa State in the Dayton Invitational, and that was the start of an up-and-down month.
“I’m not sure we knew how to handle that, to be very honest,” Horsmon said. “I think last year might have skewed a little bit of reality for us to some degree. We played a tough non-conference schedule. It probably opened their eyes to some things. That’s what they’re working through now.”
Senior middle blocker Amber Erhahon leads the A-10 in hitting percentage (.437). Defensive specialist Margo Wolf ranks fourth in digs per set (4.62) and was named the conference’s defender of the week on Monday.
“Margo, in her position and her job, she’s doing it pretty much every day, ” Horsmon said. “Amber, as well, in her position. Those two players have really led and been consistent in their play.”
UD goes on the road this week with matches at Fordham on Friday and Rhode Island on Saturday. It plays at Xavier on Tuesday.
Women's soccer: The Flyers (7-5-1, 2-1-1) saw their four-match scoreless streak end with a 4-0 loss at La Salle on Sept. 28 but bounced back with a 2-0 victory against Davidson on Sunday. Dayton improved to 5-0 at Baujan Field. Kaelyn Johns recorded her seventh shutout.
Men's soccer: The Flyers (4-5-2) opened A-10 play with a 2-1 victory Saturday at Davidson. Freshman Thor Helgason scored his team-best fifth goal.
Cross-country: The men's and women's teams claimed the Division I titles at the All-Ohio Championships on Friday in Cedarville.
Chloe Flora finished first overall in the 6K race (20:59.9). Taylor Vernot (21:11.7) and Emily Leonard (21:16.6) finished second and third.
Chris Negri led the men’s team with a second-place finish on the 8K course (24:51.8). Spencer Danielson placed third (24:58.3), and Tyler Adgalanis was fourth (25:00).
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