COLLEGE SOCCER

UT soccer team set to take on Dayton

9/21/2013

What might be the toughest nonconference schedule in Brad Evans’ 13 seasons as the University of Toledo women’s soccer coach will end this weekend.

The Rockets, who have competed with some of the most respected programs nationally, will encounter another stiff challenge. Dayton, the preseason pick to win the Atlantic 10, will visit Scott Park for a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.

The game features a lot of local flavor.

UT, which is 3-4 mark after beating Indiana State 5-2 on Friday, has three players from area high schools: Perrysburg’s Shelby Antonacci and Geri Siudzinski, and Anthony Wayne’s Caitlin McComish.

Dayton, which is 4-4-1 after beating Florida International, will bring Clay graduate Meghan Scharer and Notre Dame’s Megan Herr.

“We see them as just another good team on our schedule,” Evans said. “I don’t think they’re any more or less significant, other than we love to play good teams.”

Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $1 each. Members of the Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run will participate in face painting and an autograph session.

Two weeks ago, UT upset No. 22 Pepperdine 3-2 at Scott Park. Among other difficult early tests for UT were Minnesota and Kentucky.

“I think our players have gotten better because of it, and I think we’ve had to coach better,” Evans said.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com, 419-724-6160 or on Twitter @AutulloBlade.