DAYTON, Ohio – Laney Smith scored an early first half goal in the 2024 Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer Quarterfinals to help second-seeded Dayton defeat No. 7 VCU, 1-0 Friday night at Baujan Field. The Flyers advance to the Wednesday’s semifinals.
 
Dayton’s (14-3-2) semifinal opponent will be set after Saturday’s slate of quarterfinal games. The A-10 will re-seed the eight-team tournament following the remaining two quarterfinal games.
 
Smith scored the game-winning goal at the 10:21 mark, forcing a turnover in VCU territory and driving into the box to fire a curving shot past VCU keeper Allison Karpovich and to the far post for the only goal of the game. Smith’s goal was her ninth of the season, which is tied with Noel Blain for the team lead.  
 
Blain led the Flyers with eight shots, and Dayton keeper Batoul Reda made four saves on VCU’s eight shots to preserve her league-leading 11th clean sheet.  
 
Karpovich made nine saves for VCU (4-9-5) against UD’s overall 19 shots, 10 of which were on goal. Jenna Eller and Paige Hoeger.