DAYTON (OH) — Head Coach Mike Tucker must have felt a sense of relief along with the jubilation of last season’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over Charlotte in the A10 Finals. The victory earned the veteran Flyer coach his first NCAA appearance since 2004, an opportunity that did not go to waste as Dayton advanced past Marquette on PKs before losing to Virginia Tech in the NCAA second round at Baujan Field.

For a program always known for challenging at the top of the league, the conference additions of St. Louis and Charlotte put a cork in UD’s run of A10 titles and postseason appearances. Last year’s remarkable effort however was known for the unblemished regular season record as much as the dramatic win over the Golden Eagles. Finishing 16-1-6, the Flyers needed every win too. Considering Charlotte failed to earn an at-large bid, Dayton might have been sitting at home had they lost in the A10 Final – in spite of the longest unbeaten streak in the country leading up to conference tourney weekend. Everything worked out perfectly in 2009 and these hurdles were conquered time and again over the three month soccer season. Perhaps it wasn’t Tucker’s most talented team, but it may have been the most resilient.

This year brings a new set of challenges. Major departures of key players along with question marks on offense should keep the coaching staff on their toes. A great defense, solid depth, and talented newcomers should ease the workload however. The A10 coaches picked the Flyers to repeat in 2010. Evidently they feel the nucleus is strong and UD is the team to beat. Not a bad spot to be in.

KEY LOSSES

Alongside the program’s success last year was the individual recognition of forward Mandi Back who earned NSCAA First Team All-America honors – the first UD player in program history to make the first team. A four-year all-conference player, Back led Dayton with 25pts (8gls, 9asts) and was the most reliable scorer over the last four seasons. The Flyers also lose second-leading scorer Lauren MacCormick (9gls, 6asts) to graduation. The two players accounted for nearly 35% of the offense and brought two different but complimentary styles to the forward position – Back the crafty waterbug and MacCormick the enforcer.

Midfielder Cara Cornacchia (3gls, 3asts) also graduates along with three other seniors that saw little to no action for a variety of reasons (Colleen Gibson, Caitlin Proffitt, Lauren Maybury). A couple other young players lacking experience were lost to annual attrition.

While Dayton lost three major contributors that were cornerstones of the offense, the losses pretty much end there as the midfield and defense remain intact.

OFFENSE

The Flyers will punch their ticket on offense on the cleats of sophomore Colleen Williams, the reigning A10 Rookie of the Year. Finishing third in scoring as a frosh (7gls, 9asts), Williams demonstrated a rare combination of size, speed, and footwork to separate herself from other newbies in the A10. If UD has a fighting chance in 2010 to repeat as conference champs, Williams must shoulder much of the responsibility and find the net 10-14 times. Others can and will chip in, but every great team needs a dynamic scorer capable of striking fear into every defense. Back served that role for four seasons. Williams must now assume it.

Help should come from senior Kelly Blumenschein. The Beavercreek product finished fourth in scoring last year (5gls, 7asts) and does her best work along the touch lines. To step up and become a first-team A10 player, she’ll need to fine tune her ability to break down an initial defender with the dribble and open up space beyond the midfield stripe. Fellow senior Jerica DeWolfe found the net five times last year and is most dangerous on set pieces from long distance. DeWolfe plays mostly inside the pin cushion and should serve as a target forward this year.

Senior Tori Oelschlager along with juniors Kelsey Owen and Emily Kenyon should see time in the midfield or up top. None of the three are proven scorers yet, but Kenyon stands the best chance to become a focal point in the offense with her speed and work rate. Her flip throw-ins also help switch field position and pepper balls in the box. Other returnees with less experience will also get their chance to shine.

DEFENSE

Amazingly good. All four mainstays in the back return, starting with sophomore goalkeeper Katherine Boone, the 2009 A10 Defensive Player of the Year. Boone flirted with one of the best GAAs in the nation last year and could put up similar numbers this season if the three fullbacks in front of her have another outstanding year. Senior GK Lisa Rodgers should provide backup support along with sophomore Jackie Thompson.

The back line of senior Alli Giner and juniors Kelsey Miller and Kathleen Beljan might be Dayton’s best ever as a collective unit. That’s a heap of praise considering Dayton’s distinguished list of all-everything defenders of past lore that collected individual honors like Tic Tacs. Giner is the Rodney Dangerfield of the three, through no fault of the other two. An All-Conference player without the paperwork to prove it, Giner’s speed and consistency have been hallmarks over her entire career. Miller holds down the center back position and has size to win balls in the air to go along with a hefty foot to clear balls out of the back. Though she did not play in the 2-1 exhibition win over Louisville, her absence appeared precautionary.
Beljan is the headline getter with first-team All Conference accolades and a mention on the prestigious 2010 Hermann Trophy Watch List – soccer’s equivalent of the Heisman. Beljan is the first Flyer to be so honored since forward Missy Gregg in 2000. Her calling card is a phenomenal soccer sense with great instincts to intercept passes and move forward as an offensive threat. Add speed, consistency, and a knack for the making the difficult look routine and Beljan is squarely on the path to All America status. At just 5-2, she plays larger than life at times.

NEWCOMERS

Dayton brought in a solid class of local and out-of-state products. Headlining the list is Juliana Libertin from Hoban HS, an NSCAA HS All-American during her junior season. Named to the preseason A-10 All Rookie team, Libertin should see time in the midfield or defense. Also named to the 2010 preseason All Rookie team is MF/F Maggie Murname of Libertyville, IL, a national champion at the club level. A half dozen other frosh will compete for playing time as well and fans should expect a couple to surprise and step into the rotation early. Keep an eye on Meghan Scharer of Oregon, OH. She displayed solid athleticism and a strong throw-in during the lone exhibition.

SCHEDULE

The Flyers open the season against Butler, followed up by another home match against Toledo. A road trip to the Rockies to play Air Force and Colorado College occupies the second weekend. Dayton returns home to play Ohio State, followed by a three-game road swing against Oakland, Lehigh, and Pennsylvania. The non-con schedule finishes up with a home date with Loyola (IL) and a bus trip across town to Wright State.

With six of the first 10 matches on the road, UD must prove themselves away from the friendly confines of Baujan Field to start the season. Only Ohio State brings cache’ to the schedule and a real opportunity to impress on the national soccer stage, suggesting it could be a must-win game if UD has ideas of earning an at-large NCAA berth by season end.

The conference schedule has its own issues, depending on whether you classify the omission of league contenders St. Louis and Charlotte as good or bad. By not playing the other two challengers, Dayton has a terrific path to the regular season league crown. Fordham, the other foe worth keeping an eye on, must visit Baujan Field. That’s the upside.

The downside is a schedule both inside and outside the conference lacking opportunities to impress the soccer world. With such a small margin for error, the Flyers might need another one-loss season to guarantee themselves a path to the NCAAs if they slip up in the A10 tournament. We’ve seen the lack of respect A10 teams often receive. Fair or not, it’s reality.

CONCLUSION

Dayton has a lot in their favor, starting with a terrific defense, good depth, and a favorable schedule to pad the win column. As reigning A10 champs, others in the league must knock UD off the perch, but it’s likely that opportunity will only come in the A10 tournament. While UD lost their top two scorers and a First Team All-American, the cupboard is not bare. Other players must step up quickly however and the coaching staff will have to ask a budding sophomore to assume the role of scoring leader. Others must also chip in and fill the nets when the Flyer defense sets the table with a blank sheet.

One goal probably wins half the matches this year and two goals guarantees an undefeated season – that’s how good the defense is. The offense has few excuses to not take advantage of such good fortune as the need to score three or four goals to win matches won’t be there. If the offensive punch is consistent all season and players avoid injuries, 2010 has all the makings of a great season.

It’s a season ripe for the taking. Dayton should be favored in every match except perhaps Ohio State. What’s not to like? About the only thing standing in the way of another big season is overconfidence. The A10 tournament will settle much of the discussion as the heavyweights face one another for the first time. If UD is flirting with an undefeated season by then, the NCAAs may be knocking – and when it does, the team to advance usually needs a two- or three-goal effort on offense to take down a nationally respected program. Should UD have that sort of punch when it counts, fans will be counting a lot of victories in 2010.