The University of Dayton Flyers men’s soccer program is gearing up for a season that could redefine its recent trajectory. After a campaign that ended in the A‑10 championship final on penalties, the team is focused on translating preseason optimism into tangible results on the field.
A fresh start for Dayton soccer
Coach Dennis Currier, now in his 22nd year at the helm, will have to replace three of last season’s most prolific goal getters — Ethan Sassine, Martin Bakken and Andrew Armstrong — who combined for 20 goals. Their departures leave a sizable void, but the roster retains a core of experienced players ready to step up.
Among the returning roster, sophomore midfielder Braden Seel is the only player who previously scored more than one goal, netting two last season. However, the coaching staff pinpoints sophomore Farouq Ogundare as the most promising scoring threat. Ogundare missed much of the previous campaign with an ankle injury but is now fully fit and expected to lead the attack.
The season opener is set for August 20 against No. 20 Akron, a program that captured a national championship in 2010 and has appeared in the NCAA tournament 21 times since 2000. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two sides since 2002 and serves as a early test of Dayton’s revamped lineup.
Dayton finished last season with an 8‑2‑8 record and fell in the A‑10 championship game to Saint Louis, a team that entered the final with all 13 first‑place votes in the preseason poll. The Flyers were pegged second in the conference behind the Billikens, and the coaching staff is eager to close the gap and secure a better conference standing.
Adding to the mix are newcomers such as Antonio Pinto, a transfer from Loyola Chicago who earned A‑10 All‑Rookie honors last season, and goalkeepers Santino Inkpen and Miguel Boura Vieira, who will battle for the starting spot. The squad also welcomes fresh talent from Ghana, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Nigeria and France, including Ransford Gyau and Daniel Acquah, enriching the team’s international flavor.
Veterans like Miles Bonham and Mikkel Madsen, both named to the A‑10 preseason first team, provide stability and leadership. Their presence, combined with the infusion of new talent, aims to transform the Flyers’ recent struggles into a sustained push for an NCAA tournament berth.