Dayton Women’s Soccer Flying High

This story was originally published in the Flyer News October 2025 Digital Edition

Gabriel Ward | Sports Editor 

DAYTON, Ohio — The University of Dayton women's soccer team is having a season for the ages, as for the first time since 2004, they had a perfect Atlantic 10 regular season, going 10-0 and winning the conference’s regular-season title. The Flyers currently sit at 27 in the NCAA’s Rating Percentage Index (RPI) and are poised to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2016 season. 

The Flyers are led by their stellar defensive play and the Atlantic 10 goalkeeper of the year, Batoul Reda. I spoke with Reda to discuss this historic season for the Flyers.

Reda spoke about what makes this year's team great. “I think that the key to our team's continued success is really just focusing on the game in front of us and not getting ahead of ourselves. Our coaches make sure that we have a humble mindset and go into every game knowing that we probably see our opponents' best every single time we go out on the field.”

That mentality had to be instilled in the team, however, after their early struggles. Losses to Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Louisville early in the season cast some doubt in Flyers supporters. But never the players; they used it as a gut check. 

“Those were definitely challenging losses. In the moment, we were all super disappointed; it required us all to step back and reflect individually and as a team. In those games specifically, we knew we were just as good as our opponents; we had to put pieces together to collectively come together,” Reda emphasized. 

Since the loss to Louisville, the Flyers have outscored their opponents 34 to 3 and have won every single remaining match. The Flyers defeated Fordham Wednesday night 1-0 thanks to a 9th-minute penalty kick goal by Kyra Karfonta to book their spot in the Atlantic 10 championship match, which will be played Sunday at Baujan Field.

But even with the defense getting national recognition, Reda spoke about how the offense helps take some pressure off the back line.

“Our defense gets a lot of the praise, but I think we have done a consistent job at limiting our opponents' chances. It is a reflection of our team as a whole. Our constant pressure on opposing teams puts them under a lot of pressure,” she said.

The Flyers have not flinched once in conference play. Whether they are playing from behind or with a big lead, the mindset doesn't change; they will find a way to win, and that mindset comes from the bond the squad has with one another.

“We are super determined and willing to do whatever it takes. Our team has this hunger in its eyes that I haven't seen in previous years. You see it in our training sessions; it is super competitive, but in the end, we are each other's biggest fans. We truly push each other to be the best versions of ourselves every day. Every single player on our team has an impact,” Reda explained. 

What do the Flyers think about the rest of the postseason? “I think we're super excited, we're humble and respect our opponents, and we know that they are going to make some changes,” Reda stated.

The Flyers will play for their 11th Atlantic 10 tournament title, but their first since 2016, when they defeated Saint Joseph's 7-0 in the final with help from Libby Leedom’s hat trick. In their way? The Rhode Island Rams, whom Dayton defeated in their final regular season game 2-0 in Kingston, Rhode Island. The Rams are in search of their first-ever Atlantic 10 tournament title and, with that, their second NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2002.

The championship match will be played at Baujan Field, the home of the Flyers, on Sunday at noon and can be streamed on ESPN+.

Regardless of the result in the championship, the Flyers should be in the NCAA Tournament’s field of 64 and will await their seeding to be revealed on Monday, Nov. 10, with the first match to be played Nov. 14th at the earliest.