Priestley Gives Dutch Lions Victory in the 86th minute with fireworks as result
DAYTON, Ohio – Akeem Priestley scored the only goal late in the second half as the Dayton Dutch Lions took a 1-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday night at Miami Valley South Stadium. The Dutch Lions’ second win in USL PRO this season snapped the Riverhounds’ four-game undefeated streak.
On a hot and muggy Fourth of July, the first half saw minimal scoring opportunities for either side, with the Riverhounds' Tino Nunez getting the best chance of the half, only to be denied by Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams. While the Dayton Dutch Lions had the better of possession, they had little to show for it as the sides went to the break scoreless.
The Riverhounds came out with greater energy to start the second half, but it was the Dutch Lions who would get the first big opportunity to break the deadlock. A good through-ball sprang Eli Garner in behind Pittsburgh's defense, but the rookie lifted his shot over the crossbar from the top of the penalty area. As the half dragged on and the heat started to take its toll, the play became more and more physical.
The Dutch Lions did begin to start creating chances, getting Kyle Knotek in front of the goal running from the side. Orange took a far shot that was about to be saved by the Pittsburh goalie.
DDL FC created more and more chances, however, as Priestley saw his left-footed shot saved by Pittsburgh's Hunter Gilstrap in the 66th minute, which was followed by a near miss from Daniel Holowaty only moments later.
Also McNamara took a shot at goal as soon as he entered Pittsburgh's box together with Priestley, who was starting to become dangerous in front of the goal. The Lions enforced ball possession constantly, but they couldn't find the back of the net as the minutes went by without any goals scored.
The Riverhounds found themselves with a similar scoring opportunity in the 75th minute when Mike Seth took a powerful shot that was impressively saved by Williams.
The decisive moment, however, came with four minutes to go as Priestley was found by Garner on the right side, and after beating his defender round the outside he fired a shot home from a tight angle to give the Dutch Lions the lead. Williams and the Dutch Lions would make Priestley's goal stand, giving their side victory.
“To be honest, it was not a good game," Dayton coach Ivar van Dinteren said. "The heat was winning from the soccer, but in the end the game was decided by individual quality."
The Dutch Lions next travel to play the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night, and return for their next home game on Wednesday, July 18th as they host the Harrisburg City Islanders at Miami Valley South Stadium. The Riverhounds head home for a Keystone Derby clash with the Harrisburg City Islanders on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Chartiers Valley Stadium.
