With four goals and a shutout, Lions dominate the Wilmington Hammerheads
DAYTON, Ohio – Eli Garner was the Man of the Match for the Dayton Dutch Lions, scoring two goals in a seven-minute span against the Wilmington Hammerheads leading them to a 4-0 win Saturday June 23, 2012 at Miami Valley South Stadium in Bellbrook.
Even without two usual starters, Nixon Dias and Bret Jones out with injuries, Dayton (1-7-5) started strong with Gibson Bardsley striking first in the 11th minute. Midfielder Joel DeLass, from the sideline, passed the ball to Kyle Knotek in the middle who flicked the ball between two Hammerhead defenders for Bardsley to run onto for a shot into the back of the net.
The action picked up as the Hammerheads (5-5-4) started a more aggressive approach. In the 23rd minute, Dylan Riley was shown a yellow card for a severe hit to Knotek, as he turned to run for the ball, which left him slow to get up.
Then in the 29th minute Yahaya Musa was also shown a yellow for a careless tackle of Gerrit-Jan Bartels. Garner struck in the 33rd minute after a Hammerhead corner kick was cleared. He touched the ball past the last defender and ran 40 yards to go one-on-one against Hammerhead keeper Alex Horwath. A quick touch around the goalie gave Garner an easy pass into the goal, taking the 2-0 lead.
In the 40th minute, Garner found himself alone on another long run and passed the ball into the goal from just left of center for his second of the night, putting the Lions up 3-0.
The Lions did not relent in the second half as six shots were recorded. Garner, trying for a hat trick, had a close shot in the 50th minute but the ball went inches left of the post. The Lions thought they had their fourth goal in the 59th minute as Bardsley had a run on goal, but the ball was cleared off the line.
Then again in the 66th minute, Garner had another long run on goal but pressure from the Hammerhead defense rushed his shot high. Not stopping the attack, Eric Kissinger entered the game for Bardsley and scored the fourth goal of the night in the 79th minute. Mikael McNamara played the ball perfectly behind the Hammerhead defense and in front of Kissinger for a shot on goal.
“We deserved a win, said Coach Ivar Van Dinteren. “The hard work paid off. I told the guys to keep working hard and you will get what you deserve. Garner had a great game and so did Taylor Lord, who recorded his first start of the season. Everybody stepped up today and that’s what it’s all about.
Tuesday’s game is going to be a tough game but anything can happen. Sporting Kansas City plays the same formation we do so I am looking forward to the Cup game.”
Dayton will use this momentum as they travel to face Sporting Kansas City Tuesday June 26 in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The next home doubleheader features the women facing the Northern Virginia Majestics at 5:30 p.m. and the men against Orlando City at 8 p.m. Friday June 29 at Miami Valley South stadium at Bellbrook High School. Support the orange Lions next week, and experience the great atmosphere together with your Dayton Dutch Lions players!
