The University of Dayton men's soccer team kicks off the 2026 season against No. 12 Akron on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. After finishing the prior season with an 8-2-8 record, the Flyers are optimistic as they were picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll. Notably, three Dayton players earned spots on the Preseason All-Conference Team, including defender Mikkel Madsen, who previously helped the team achieve the lowest goals allowed in the conference last season.

By the Numbers
  • Dayton had an 8-2-8 overall record in 2025 (4-1-3 in A10).
  • Akron finished the 2025 season with a 13-5-3 overall record.
Yes, But

While Dayton is optimistic about its season start, Akron's strong performance last season and high preseason ranking present a significant challenge; they advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals.

State of Play
  • Dayton is coming off a competitive season, hoping to improve their ranking.
  • Akron has two players on the All-Big East Preseason Team and was picked to finish first in their division.
What's Next

After facing Akron, Dayton will host Western Michigan on August 23 as part of their home opener, featuring a promotional Bingo night.

Bottom Line

The outcome of the opening match will be crucial for Dayton to establish momentum early in the season, especially against a highly ranked competitor like Akron.