DAYTON, Ohio – The Hokies have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after earning just their third all-time postseason victory and second this season. The team moved to 15-7-0 on the season after defeating Murray State, 2-0, in the first round of the Tournament. Marika Gray and Jennifer Harvey scored their first-career postseason goals as each netted a score in the first half of Friday’s match. Harvey now leads the Hokie offense with nine goals on the year while Gray is currently tied with freshman midfielder Kelly Conheeney as they’ve scored eight a piece. Sophomore keeper Kristin Carden also earned her first NCAA Tournament shutout and second of this postseason, bringing her to three career postseason shutouts and four on the year.

“We are really proud of our first-round win over Murray State,” said head coach Kelly Cagle. “Our goal in the postseason is to go game-by-game, so yesterday’s win got us off on the right foot. We are excited to be entering the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and we know we have a tough opponent in Dayton, especially since they are playing at home.”

Tech will face the Flyers on Sunday as they were the victors in the Friday evening game, bouncing Marquette in the first round. Dayton and Marquette battled to a 0-0 tie through two overtimes, and the game was decided in penalty kicks with Dayton advancing, 4-3. The Flyers enter Sunday’s match with at 16-0-6 record and hold the longest winning streak in the country with 21-straight victories. The Flyers recently captured their sixth A-10 Tournament crown and won 10 of their 11 regular season conference matches, tying Charlotte 0-0.

“We have a lot of respect for their undefeated season but I know our team is up for the challenge,” said Cagle about the team’s next opponent. “If this team continues to battle and progress as a team, we can compete with anyone in the country.”

Lauren MacCormick and Mandi Back are the Flyers’ points leaders this season with 24 each as MacCormick has tallied nine goals and six assists and Back racked up eight goals and eight assists on the year. Freshman keeper Katherine Boone has been outstanding for the Flyers in net this season, boasting a 13-0-6 record on the year, shutting out her opponents in all 13 victories. Boone has also only allowed six goals on the year and has made 67 saves this season.

Sunday’s game will be played at Baujan Field at the University of Dayton and begin at 1 p.m. The winner of this game will advance to the Sweet 16.