Oct. 29, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - The Dayton Flyers received some pleasant news on Monday as the Atlantic 10 Conference awarded sophomore Jeff Popella the co-Player of the Week.

Popella enjoyed a strong weekend tallying five points thanks to two goals and an assist. On Friday he scored the game-tying goal and chipped in with an assist in UD's 4-1 win over the Saint Joseph's Hawks. Popella then added the game-winner in a 1-0 victory against the Temple Owls on Sunday.

"We've always felt he's had the attributes to be a productive forward," head coach Dennis Currier said. "He's starting to do the smaller things and bring some consistency to be a dangerous forward. He's had a good last two weeks."

In his last four games, Popella has three goals and an assist. On the 2007 season, Popella ranks second on the team in scoring with four goals, two assists and 10 points.

More importantly to the Flyers has been his ability to score in the clutch. Popella's three game-winning goals are the most on the team and tied for second in the conference.

Popella is the second weekly award winner this season for the Flyers. On Oct. 8, the A-10 recognized freshman Josh Albers as the Rookie of the Week.

After going through a rough stretch on the road earlier in the month, the Dayton Flyers closed out October winning three of its last four games. At 9-4-2 overall and 3-3-0 in the A-10, UD is currently tied for the sixth in the conference with nine points.

The Flyers will host its Alumni Weekend on Saturday, Nov. 3 when UD hosts the Xavier Musketeers. The game will be at 7 p.m. ET. The event is free for all Dayton men's soccer alumni and the former Flyers can register at the men's soccer home page.