Joel DeLass en Akeem Priestley scoring their first goals of the season in exciting game
DAYTON, Ohio – After a hot morning, a stormy evening canceled the women’s game against the Northern Virginia Majestics and delayed the start of the Dayton Dutch Lions (1-7-6) against Orlando City (10-1-3), first in the USLPRO. After the lightning had cleared the area, the teams played to a 2-2 tie at Miami Valley South Stadium.
The Lions conceded first in the 4th minute after the Lions defense left Matt Luzunaris unmarked at the top of box. Keeping the attack going, the Lions continued to push forward and in the 21st minute, the attack paid off. Joel DeLass buried the ball into the back of the net after a poor clearance by Orlando City following a Lion’s attack, tying the score at 1-1.
Orlando City aggressively pushed forward and in the 27th minute, Nixon Dias was called for handling outside of the box. The restart hit off Mettin Copier’s arm for another handling call, but this time in the box. Anthony Pulis scored off the penalty kick to put Orlando City up 2-1. Orlando got more aggressive. Mettin Copier was taken down by an Orlando's #6, which resulted in another yellow.
The Lions struck back in the 31st minute when a cross from Shane Smith found Akeem Priestley at the back post. Priestley easily jumped above the Orlando City defender and headed the ball into the net to tie the game at 2-2.
With five of the six yellow cards shown coming in the second half, the aggressive nature of both teams came out. USLPRO Player of the Week Eli Garner had a long breakaway in the 64th minute but was taken down just inside the box without a call from the referee which left the ball to roll easily to keeper Miguel Gallardo-Aparicio.
Substitute Bardsley created noise in the stands one more time, by heading in the box, with only one defender breathing down his neck. The ball didn't find the back of the net, and the chance to take a last minute lead remained untaken.
“I think we played really well in the first half and in the second half they had to change their tactics to force us to kick the long ball,” said Coach Ivar Van Dinteren. “We showed the mentality to come back two times. I’m really proud of the Lions to play 2-2 against the frontrunner. We often struggle in the last 30 minutes and this time we did not get a goal against in the final minutes.”
The women will host Northern Virginia Majestics Sunday July 1st at 12 p.m. Sunday at the Dutch Lions practice fields at Miami Valley School for possibly the last home game of the women’s season with tonight’s game still to be rescheduled. The men’s face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday July 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Miami Valley South Stadium before traveling to Rochester Rhinos on July 7 and the Harrisburg City Islanders on July 13. For season and individual game tickets, click here.