Goalkeeper Matt Williams stops penalty kick to give Dayton Dutch Lions FC hard fought point in front of 4.600
Charleston, August 18 2012 - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC stayed undefeated for their 4th consecutive game scoring 17 points in their last 12 games (4-3-5) compared to 5 points in their first 12 games (0-7-5). After a 1-1 tie against regular season Champions Orlando Lions on Friday night, the Dayton Dutch Lions managed to get another good result on the road in the 2nd game in 2 days against no2 Charleston Battery: 0-0.
The Lions did not get to Charleston until 5am after traveling from Orlando. But the Lions battled hard again in their last game of the season. In the first half the Battery put pressure on the Dutch Lions' defense with a few near-goal opportunities. Midfielder Jose Cuevas had the closest chance when Tony Donatelli served a ball in behind the Dayton defenders on top of the goal line. Cuevas took a one-time shot that somehow managed to fall wide of the target. While the Battery held majority of the possession they failed to hit their shots on frame and forced Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams to make few saves.
The Battery started the second half of the match strongly when midfielder Nicki Paterson was taken down in the penalty area, earning Charleston a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Paterson stepped up to take the shot, placing it low to the right corner of the net, but Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams made a diving save to keep the game scoreless. On the other side Eli Garner got through and was one on one with the goalie but he missed the open chance to give Dayton the lead. The Lions defense was well organized again as it was most of the season (with "only" 29 goals scored against in 24 games). The Battery's last chance came in stoppage time when Cuevas found himself free on goal but his shot came back off the right post.
Head Coach Ivar van Dinteren: "I am very proud of my guys. We ended the season with two ties against possibly the two best teams in the League. Looking at how we started the season we have made great progress. If you look at the 2nd half of the season and the amount of points we gave away in stoppage time I am also a little disappointed since we could have made the playoffs possibly. I am hoping we can keep the majority of the team together and built from that towards next year and jump a few more places like we did this year."
Dayton Dutch Lions: Matt Williams, Greg Preciado, Nixon Dias, Mettin Copier, Shane Smith (Jeff Degroot), Toric Robinson (Bret Jones), Mikael McNamara, Joel DeLass, Daniel Holowaty (Michael Earman), Eric Kissinger (Eli Garner), Taylor Lord (Gibson Bardsley)