Baujan Field will be busy this weekend when the University of Dayton men's soccer team hosts two games.

UD plays Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Friday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. and Western Michigan at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. IFPW finished last season 6-11-2, while Western Michigan posted a similarly disappointing 6-10-1 record.

There is talent on both teams, however. IPFW forward Max Touloute may be headed for a breakout year after being named Second Team All-Summit League last season in his sophomore campaign. On the other side, Western Michigan is a team UD can relate to in that it has only two seniors and will need help from its underclassmen.

"There is so much parity in Division I soccer that you cannot take an opponent lightly," UD head coach Dennis Currier said. "IPFW has 12 seniors this year, so they have the upper hand experience. It will be important for us to get out in front early in that game. As for Western Michigan, they can be a dangerous team when their offense is clicking."

Coming off a tremendous season, the Flyers want to pick up right where they left off. The team went 14-5-1, winning the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season title and finishing as runners-up in the conference tournament.

Consecutive victories in front of the home fans would get them off to a great start, but for UD, playing at home isn't just another game. The Flyers' home field has proven to be a place opponents have come to fear in recent years.

"Baujan is a special place for our student-athletes," Currier said. "It offers one of the best atmospheres to play in for college soccer. We have lost only once in the last three seasons at Baujan. All the players have a heightened level of energy when we are at home."

The players are excited for the weekend as well. Any fans who attended in the past know the team draws a good crowd, and playing in front of that kind of support is something special. Friday night will be the first time under the lights of Baujan Field for some of Dayton's newcomers.

Marlon Duran, a highly touted freshman midfielder, is particularly excited to take the field. Duran was selected to the Atlantic 10 preseason All-Rookie Team and as one of College Soccer News' "100 Freshmen To Keep An Eye On." The opportunity to play in front of the Flyer faithful has him and the team ready to go.

"Everyone is excited to start playing," Marlon Duran, a freshman midfielder, said. "Also, the atmosphere that is going to be at Baujan Field on Friday I think is going to be crazy, and I really can't wait to play an official game there. From what I have heard, the fans are the best and support you in everything that you do, so that's great."

With the team geared to play, it's up to UD fans to show up this weekend and support them.