The University of Dayton women's soccer team launches its 2026 season with two exhibition matches: hosting Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 5 and visiting Indiana on Aug. 8. Both games are open to the public, with the first match against the Colonels beginning at 7 p.m. The Flyers are returning key players, including five starters from last year鈥檚 Atlantic 10 Championship team, such as Liv Grenda, and top scorer Laney Smith. Pre-season training started on July 20, and the Flyers have welcomed 11 new players to their roster.

By the Numbers
  • Five returning starters from the previous season's roster.
  • 11 new players added for the 2026 season, comprising five freshmen and six transfers.
State of Play
  • Dayton is set to begin its 43rd season of women's soccer.
  • The Flyers will first take to the road for their match against West Virginia on Aug. 12.
What's Next

Following the exhibition matches, Dayton will aim to maintain momentum into the regular season, with their first home game scheduled against Toledo on Aug. 16. Continued performances from returning players and effective integration of new talent will be critical for their success.

Bottom Line

The Flyers' combination of experienced returners and fresh talent could position them for another strong season. Early performances in exhibitions will be key indicators of their readiness to compete effectively in the Atlantic 10 Conference.