DDL FC gives up another 2 points in 93rd minute
Dayton, May 26 2012
DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dutch Lions (0-4-5) arrived in their hometown fresh off a U.S. Open Cup win against the Chicago Fire PDL at the Toyota Park Practice Field in Illinois to a re-match with the Rochester Rhinos (6-1-3) in what ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw. The Lions did manage to score 2 goals against the Rhinos defense, that only got scored on twice in the first 9 games.
Gibson Bardsley, who leads the USL in shots, had an exciting breakaway at the 7:45 mark, which was deflected to the right and resulted in a corner kick. The pinpoint kick by Eli Garner was denied by a very active Rhinos defense, which continued throughout the match.
The first goal of the game arrived with Dutch Lions momentum following on the heels of a Rhinos’ Troy Roberts foul, who high kicked at 32:45, taking Gerrit Jan Bartels by surprise. After Bartels exited with a bleeding injury, the Dutch Lions marked their first goal at 33:42 with an Eli Garner rocket, set up by Gibson Bardsley.
The second half opened with the Rhinos looking for revenge, which came in the 51st minute when the Rhinos answered on a Graciano Brito score assisted by Andrew Cost to even the action. But the Dutch Lions weren’t having it, and in the 69h minute defender Mettin Copier finished a Bartels’ assist for the go-ahead score by the Dutch Lions. A tactical adjustment by Rhinos’ coach Greg Stanton at the 61st minute shifted to a heavily offensive Rhinos game by substituting in Jimmy Banks, ranked as one of the top USL players for goals and assists. In spite of the shift, the Rhinos and their many shots on goal were kept at bay by Dutch Lions Keeper Matthew Williams. Until the 93rd minute when a shot was deflected and a corner kick awarded. The inswinging corner kick was headed in very unfortunate by Lions player Toric Robinson, leaving the team astonished not to hold on to the lead in the final minutes the third time.
On Tuesday, May 29th, the Dayton Dutch Lions FC face the Columbus Crew, who are hosting the third-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Match. The game begins at 7:30 in the Crew Stadium. The Dutch Lions return to regular League play on June 2nd, taking on the Charleston Battery (6-4-2) at Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek at 8:00 pm. The Dutch Lions Women’s Team (0-1-0) plays D.C. United (1-0-0) on May 31st at Wright State, and then they join the Men on June 2nd, opening the double header at 5:30 with a D.C. United re-match. Tickets for the double header and the season can be purchased. www.dutchlionsfc.com