You think you know the Atlantic 10. You probably assume Saint Louis just owns the pitch every single year, right? Honestly, that’s what most people thought heading into the 2025 season. But if you weren't watching what was happening at Baujan Field, you missed one of the most clinical takedowns of a conference in recent memory. The University of Dayton women’s soccer program didn't just have a "good" year. They basically rewrote the script for how to dominate a league from start to finish.
It was a perfect 10-0-0 run in the A-10. No ties, no slip-ups. Just total control.
When Eric Golz took over this program back in late 2016, he had some massive shoes to fill. Mike Tucker had been the face of Dayton soccer for over two decades. But Golz didn't just maintain the status quo; he built a defensive juggernaut that peaked this past fall. People talk about "Flyer Pride," but in 2025, that pride was backed up by 13 shutouts and a trophy case that suddenly got a lot heavier.
Why the 2025 Season Changed Everything
For a long time, the narrative was that Dayton was a perennial contender that just couldn't quite get over the final hurdle. They’d make the tournament—they’ve made it 27 years in a row, which is a wild stat if you think about it—but the championship hardware often stayed just out of reach.
That changed on a chilly Sunday in November.
The 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship final against Rhode Island wasn't pretty. It was a 0-0 grind through 110 minutes of soccer. But that’s where this team’s identity lived. They didn't need a four-goal explosion to win. They had Batoul Reda in goal. When the game went to penalty kicks, the tension at Baujan was thick enough to cut with a knife. Dayton took it 5-4 on PKs, securing their 11th overall title and the first of the Golz era.
The Numbers Behind the Dominance
- 15-4-3 Overall Record: A winning percentage of .750 that reflects a brutal non-conference schedule.
- 1.000 Conference Record: 10 wins, zero losses. The first perfect A-10 season in seven years.
- 0.55 Goals Against Average: The defense was essentially a brick wall, allowing barely half a goal per game.
- 13 Shutouts: This tied the school’s single-season record.
Honestly, looking at the box scores doesn't do it justice. You had to see the way Kyra Karfonta commanded the back line. She wasn't just defending; she was orchestrating the entire flow of the game. It’s no wonder she walked away with the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Stars You Should Actually Know
If you're just jumping on the bandwagon, there are a few names you've gotta recognize. The University of Dayton women’s soccer roster isn't just deep; it’s young. That’s the scary part for the rest of the A-10.
Batoul Reda (GK): The MVP of the 2025 tournament. She’s the first Flyer ever to be named A-10 Goalkeeper of the Year. With 40 career shutouts, she now holds the program record. She’s the kind of keeper who makes the goal look three sizes smaller than it actually is.
Liv Grenda (MF): Just a sophomore and already the Midfielder of the Year. She’s the engine. Grenda finished with 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists) and was the first Flyer to win that specific award since Nicole Waters back in 2015.
Laney Smith (F): A first-team All-Conference selection in each of her first two seasons. That has only happened one other time in UD history. She led the team with 17 points in 2025. When the Flyers needed a goal to break a deadlock, Smith was usually the one lurking in the box ready to finish.
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More Than Just a Game at Baujan Field
There is something sorta magical about Baujan Field. It’s not a massive stadium, but the atmosphere is intimate and, frankly, intimidating for visiting teams. In 2025, Dayton went 8-2-2 at home.
The fans there actually know soccer. You’ll see former players, students, and Dayton locals who have been coming to games since the 90s. It’s a community. When the Flyers advanced through the quarterfinals against La Salle (a 3-1 win) and the semifinals against Fordham (1-0), the energy in the stands was a genuine factor.
But it isn't all about the wins. This program is arguably one of the best "academic" teams in the country. Ella Raimondi, a senior defender, earned Academic All-American honors in 2025. Reda and Grenda were also on the A-10 All-Academic team. It’s a group of overachievers who happen to be elite athletes.
The Xavier Rivalry and the NCAA Hurdle
We have to talk about the "other" team down I-75. The rivalry with Xavier is real, and lately, it’s been a bit of a thorn in Dayton's side. In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Flyers drew Xavier in the opening round.
It was a tough pill to swallow. After such a dominant conference run, losing 2-0 to the Musketeers in Cincinnati was a quiet end to a loud season.
There's a gap between being the king of the Atlantic 10 and making a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The Flyers are right on the edge of bridge-building that gap. They play teams like Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and Louisville in the non-conference specifically to get ready for those November nights against Power 4 opponents.
What's Next for the Flyers?
So, where does the program go from here?
Coach Golz reached the 100-win milestone at Dayton this past season. He’s established a culture that is sustainable. While they lose seniors like Karfonta and Karli Ferguson, the core of Grenda, Smith, and the freshman trio of Ky Hau-Golden, Emery Newlin, and Caroline Schork means the cupboard is far from empty.
If you’re looking to follow the team or want to see what the hype is about, here are the actionable steps to take:
- Watch the Replays on ESPN+: If you want to see tactical brilliance, go back and watch the 2025 A-10 semifinal against Fordham. It's a masterclass in defensive positioning.
- Get to Baujan in August: The 2026 schedule will drop in early summer. The non-conference home games are the best way to see the team before the pressure of league play starts.
- Follow the Recruitment: Keep an eye on the Ohio and Michigan pipelines. Golz has been dominant in keeping the best regional talent from fleeing to the Big Ten.
The 2025 season wasn't a fluke. It was a statement. The University of Dayton women’s soccer team has moved past the "rebuilding" phase and is firmly in its "dynasty" era. If you aren't paying attention yet, you're officially late to the party.
Actionable Insight for Fans: To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, monitor the Atlantic 10's official standings page starting in September. Pay close attention to the "Goals Against" column; for Dayton, that number is the ultimate barometer of their success. If they are keeping opponents under 0.70 goals per game, they are almost certain to be back in the championship conversation.