The University of Dayton men's soccer team will open up the 2021 regular season this weekend at the Wolstein Classic hosted by Ohio State University at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

The Flyers will face UAB in a neutral site game at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 before taking on Memphis Sunday at 11 a.m.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton is entering the season with a veteran squad under head coach Dennis Currier, who is in his 17th year at the helm of the Flyers and the reigning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. UD replaces just one starter from last year's team that went on to win the A-10 regular season title with a 4-1-1 conference mark.

As a team, the Flyers averaged 2.22 goals per game last year and held opponents to 1.33 goals each outing. Dayton also out-shot opposing teams 17.7 to 14.7 per game last year as well.

Leading the way for UD is two-time and reigning A-10 Midfielder of the Year Kingsford Adjei, who had five goals and four assists to lead the Flyers last season. Second Team All-Conference defender Elias Harryson and All-Rookie Team goalkeeper Marc Kouadio return to anchor the defense.

SCOUTING UAB
UAB comes into the regular season after a 2021 campaign that was split between the fall and the spring. The Blazers managed to play seven games in the fall before shutting down for the year, including facing No. 1 Wake Forest and No. 3 Clemson. UAB returned to action in the spring and went 1-5-1 in Conference USA play. The Blazers were 3-12-1 overall on the year.

Head coach Jeff Kinney is in his third season at UAB and joined the Blazers after serving as an assistant at Virginia Tech.

As a team, UAB averaged just 0.63 goals per game last year and gave up 2.44 to opponents. The Blazers were also out-shot 14.3 to 8.1 each contest.

Senior Joseph Buete was the only UAB player to score multiple goals on the season and led the team with four points. Nine different Blazers scored last season while four had an assist. Senior Seth Torman and sophomore Caelan Whitehead split time in goal combining for 57 saves and 13 starts.

SCOUTING MEMPHIS
Memphis opens up its season after a 2020 in which the Tigers were 2-8 overall and in American Conference play. This weekend will be their first non-conference games since Oct. 22, 2019 against Central Arkansas.  Last season, Memphis was 2-3 in away games.

Head coach Richard Mulrooney returned to his hometown to take over the Tigers in 2014 and has 46 wins in his seven years.

Overall, Memphis scored 0.80 goals each outing and allowed 2.30 to opposing squads. The Tigers were out-shot as well, 13.8 to 9.1, but was even on shots on goal percentage.

Junior midfielder Emanuel Santos recorded a team-high three goals last year including a game-winner, while Maliek Howell chipped in a goal and an assist. Senior goalkeeper Parker Lackland returns for his final campaign and has 27 career starts over the past two years with five shutouts.

THE SERIES
Dayton and UAB have played three times in the series with the Flyers still looking for their first win. The Blazers have won twice and drawn once, which happened in the last meeting in 2014, a 0-0 double overtime tie.

UD and Memphis have met two times previously with both teams winning one game apiece. The two teams have not met since 1994 when the Tigers were victorious at home 3-1.

LAST OUTING
In the preseason finale, Dayton cruised to a 5-0 win over Division III Wabash College at home. The Flyers scored all five goals in the second half from five different players.

UAB rallied after giving up the opening goal in the 14th minute, scoring three times in the first half in a 3-2 victory over Mercer in its final exhibition contest. Nathaniel St. Louis led the way with a brace.

Memphis will take on Ohio State Friday before facing Dayton Sunday, but they most recently competed against Belmont in a preseason friendly which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Tigers scored both of their goals within the first 10 minutes of the second half.