DAYTON – Wright State goalkeeper Kiera Sarka tied a career-high with 14 saves on Thursday night as the Raiders fell 2-0 to crosstown foe Dayton in the season opener at Alumni Field.
 
Wright State (0-1) remains at home for a Sunday afternoon contest against Fairmont State, with first touch set for 1 p.m. at Alumni Field. Fans can follow Sunday's action via live stats and can purchase tickets here.
 
Dayton (1-0) got on the board early thanks to Liv Grenda's 12th minute goal after coming away with a loose ball just outside the Raider box and finding the top right corner of the net past Sarka. The visitors remained in control for most of the night, finishing with 35 shots, most from distance, pressuring the Raiders with 17 shots on goal. With the Raiders pushing everyone forward for a free kick inside the final minute, Sarka set a set piece from midfield into a scrum, with Dayton coming away with a late runout and goal by Olivia Baca into the open net with less than 20 seconds remaining as Sarka scrambled to get back to her position.
 
Sarka finished the night with 14 saves, including eight in the second half, to match her career-high from September 3, 2023, also against Dayton at Alumni Field. The Raiders finished with three shots – one each from Caitlin Burger, Olivia Stroud and Taliah Pellizzari – with Pellizzari's 63rd minute shot turned away by Dayton keeper Batoul Reda as it headed to the bottom corner of the net.
 
Baca finished with a game-high 10 shots, including eight on goal, to lead eight Dayton players with multiple shots. Dayton forced pressure for much of the second half, tallying 24 of their 35 shots in the second 45 minutes, along with eight of their 11 corner kick opportunities.