Game: DDL FC U12 Girls vs. Lady Strykers A
Date: February 23, 2013
Result: L 7-2
Player of the Game: Elana
Game Summary:
This was another in a series of tough games for the Lions. They were again playing an older team, causing them to be under pressure very quickly in most situations. It took the girls about 10 minutes to get a feel for the game, but unfortunately that was all that the other team needed. Down 5-0 after the first five minutes, the Lions got it together and fortified the defensive effort. After the lull that started the game, the Lions played well and did a better job of attacking or defending with numbers, limiting the other team’s better chances to counterattacks. Coach Eric thought that “although this wasn’t our best game, it wasn’t our worst either. We showed flashes of good play, but as I told the girls, we need to play the full game. Our heads weren’t in it at the start and the other team took advantage of that. Our defense and midfield need to work together more; those first goals were often the result of our midfield not getting back and putting a strain on our defense.”
This was a tough game for the defense, seeing as they were under near-constant pressure from the first whistle. Combined with the fact that this was a rough game where no fouls were called, the girls stepped up to the challenge and did an excellent job of making sure to use their bodies and play to the whistle. They were able to fend off a majority of the attacks from the other team, but the steady stream of long balls played into the defensive third meant that it was only a matter of time before the other team found the open player on several occasions. In terms of the attack, the Lions had trouble with communication. On numerous occasions, two girls went for the same ball, failed to say anything, and then allowed the other team to run in between and take the ball. Coach Eric said that “we didn’t do a great job of communicating this game, and it caused us to have several unnecessary turnovers. There were several promising attacks that were stalled by not talking, not making a run, or by a poor pass. We had the opportunity to press forward with numbers many times, and unfortunately we didn’t get the best chances that we could have from them. Regardless though, it was evident that the girls were frustrated themselves, and that shows that they know they could do better as well. I liked the fighting spirit that it showed, and hopefully they can bring that same attitude to our next game.”
Game: DDL FC U13 Girls vs. CUSA Blue
Date: February 18, 2013
Result: T 3-3
Player of the Game: Grace
Game Summary:
This was a back and forth game for the Lions. Playing an evenly matched team, the girls were able to showcase their skills and possession ability while at the same time bringing a winning mentality. They were able to score and take the lead for most of the game, but a disconnect between the defense and the midfield late in the game saw two goals conceded on counterattacks. Despite a flurry of activity in the final minutes, including a shot off the post with seconds to go by the Lions, they weren’t able to make the final push to find the winning goal. Coach Eric was pleased with the game though, and said that “we played pretty well this game. It wasn’t our best effort but overall we played pretty well. We had a couple of brilliant passing moments coupled with some defensive lapses that allowed them good scoring chances. The good news is that most of our lesser moments were mental, which ought to get better as the training continues.”
How the midfield played definitely determined how the Lions played for the purposes of this game. When they were able to push up together and get numbers in the attacking third, several dangerous chances were created and a couple were scored on. When only one or two were able to join the attack, it often fizzled out into nothing. The same thing happened on defense. When the midfield was able to get back and apply pressure, turnovers were created and counterattacks were started. When they were late getting back or didn’t at all, the defense was required to make an extra effort to win the ball or force a bad shot. Coach Eric thought that “we need to work better on playing as a whole unit, instead of three lines of defense, midfield, and attack. If we can become a more cohesive group and support one another throughout the entire field, I think we’ll find that we do a lot better in these close games where it only takes a fluke bounce one way or another to win or lose.”
Dutch Lions FC U12 Boys Blue – NWC Alliance
Wednesday, February 20, 6.15 pm
Final score: 5-1 Dutch Lions Win
Player of the game:
No game report received
Dutch Lions FC U12 Boys Orange – Boro United
Wednesday, February 20, 7.00pm
Final score: 5-3 Dutch Lions Win
Player of the game: Richard
The Dutch Lions U12 Boys Orange won their 3rd indoor game last week. In a game where the opponent played very physically the young Lions really stepped it up and played one of their best games in the indoor league so far. With a lot of good combinations and solid possession game several changes were created and Richard ended up scoring 4 goals, making him the player of the game. The other goal was a beautiful left foot shot from Aidan. Coach Sid after the game “The boys had a solid performance today, they fought hard and I saw some great passing, combination and good goals today, Richard had a great game scoring 4 goals but everyone played strong today, John and Griffin kept the field big and put good pressure on their defenders, Aidan and Gaven played a good position game in the midfield, Sam, James and Terry kept organization in the back and Kyler and Xander had some good saves in goal. We play this team again next week and I expect the same performance level from the boys”.
Game: Dutch Lions u12 red vs. Stags
Date: Feb 22nd 2013, at 7:45pm
Winning Team: Stags
Player of the game: Nicholas
The Dutch Lions u12 (1-1-2), played their 5th game at kingdom sportscenter on Friday night against Stags (3-0-1). The Stags are currently 2nd place in the kicker division and the Dutch Lions were looking to upset one of the top teams. Coach Shane Smith expected a tough game for his team,” Playing against a older and more athletic team, I knew it was gonna be a difficult task for us to play our dutch style of soccer. The u12 boys have a strong mentality and i was certain they would not back down from the challenge.”
The Dutch Lions tried their best to stay organized defensively but a couple early goals had the lions on their heels. Despite the slow start, the Lions started defending better as a team as the game went on. Offensively the Lions possessed the ball nicely at the times and had some really good passing combinations through the midfield and out to the wings. Throughout the game the Lions would create many scoring opportunities but could not finish their chances. Nicholas was able to score a goal late in the game after beating two defenders and shooting the ball low past the keeper.
After the game, Coach Shane was impressed with the Dutch Lions effort “ I’m really proud how the boys played today, i thought we did a excellent job passing the ball and creating chances. Also very happy with our defensive work, they played their hearts out and gave everything they had until the final whistle.” The Dutch Lions u12 red will be in action again next Friday night vs. Spartan Soccer at 8:30pm.
Club Ohio Black - Dayton Dutch Lions FC U-15 Boys
Date : 02/24/2013
Time : 09:00 AM
Score : 1-1
Player of the game : Alex
This weekend we played against the top team in our wall2wall league. They won all their games, scored 15 goals in their first 4 games and had 0 goals against. This meant that the DDL FC U-15 boys have to give everything they got.
In the beginning the game went up and down but the U-15 boys were the better team without creating big chances. We had a lot of posession, put high pressure and we intercepted the ball very fast. Half way the game the U-15 boys intercepted the ball, played good posession, passed the ball outside and Rohan made a good cross on Alex , which made an important goal with his head. After that goal the game still went up and down. This resulted in a goal from Club Ohio, 1-1. From that moment the U-15 boys controlled the game and had some fast and good counter attacks.
If you saw the whole game then a 1-1 score is a fair score. Coach W. was proud that he saw a team that played good soccer for 40 minutes and was willing to work for each other and to play as a team the whole game. We did what we had to do and everyone kept his commands.
Dutch Lions FC U14/15 Girls – WC Silver
Wednesday, February 24, 2.00 pm
Final score: 2-0 Dutch Lions Win
Player of the game: Maleah
The Dutch Lions U14/15 girls still were without the first "W" in the Wall2Wall League before the game against WC Silver. The opponent was in the same situation, which made it to be an interesting game. The team who would win would take some more distance from the last position in the standing and be able to go into the final games of the league with some extra confidence. The Dutch Lions girls played the "Dutch Style" and did this very disciplined. This resulted in almost uncountable scoring opportunities for the Lions. Maleah was able to score 2 of these , both DL goals, making it a 2-0 win for the Dutch Lions.
After the game Coach Tommy was very happy with the plan in and result of the game: "I think we played a very good game. The first couple of game in the Wall2Wall League we played against very strong teams and we were not able to pass the ball as much as we would like to. In this game we were able to and right away the strength of our team becomes visible. I think we had some great combinations on midfield. We used the space behind their defense really well, not booting the ball but with a lot of through ball on the ground. The only thing I can blame our team for is not scoring more goals. We created so many opportunities. I think playing with the U14 and U15 combined was a little hard to get used to, but now all the girls get more comfortable with each other I believe we have great team, especially if we can control the ball and pass it!"
Dutch Lions FC U18 Girls – Dutch Lions FC U16 Girls
Sunday, February 24, 11.00 AM
Final Score: 1-1
Players of the Game: Ryen (U18) and Lexi (U16)
The Dutch Lions U18 girls played the Dutch Lions U16 Girls team last Sunday. For the U 18 Girls a game against an opponent, who are known for their strong and organized possession game and dangerous offensive line. The U16 Girls just got back from the Florida tournament and knew to expect an defensive organized team. The game ended with a 1-1 tie.
The game started with a lot of ball possession from the U16’s, but the U18’s kept the gaps in defense closed and with a lot of aggression on the midfield they were able to force the U16 players to make mistakes and that way create some danger with Ryen, Alex and Morgan up top.
With the U16’s forcing the U18 team back and to a lot a defensive work, some space was created behind the U16’s defensive line. That same space was a great opportunity for the U18 midfield to try to send one of the three forwards. After about 25 minutes, and with the score already 1-0 for the U16’s, Kaitlyn was able to find Ryen who, after a good dribble, had a good shot on goal, that the U16 GK was able to save. Before this attack the U16 girls opened the score with a goal scored by Rachel.
With the U16 being a lot in offense and having some good shots and dangerous crosses the U18 kept playing aggressively and trying to go forward and looking for the goal that would tie the game. And eventually the hard work paid off… A cross by Ryen was misinterpreted by the U16 GK and ended up behind the line, tying the game.
Coach Sid after the game “The girls worked hard today, and I am happy with the fact that we didn’t give a lot away in the back, our defense was compact and organized during the bigger part of the game. I am also happy to see that we were able to create some chances and connect our midfield to our offense. This tie today should give us the confidence to keep building on and keep growing as a team.” For player of the game coach Sid nominated Ryen, “Ryen had surgery on her ankle and is getting better week after week, getting more confidence and she will be an important player on this team as soon as she is 100% fit again, today she showed that by being the most dangerous player in our offense and still doing her defense job.”
Coach Tommy was a lot less happy with the result of the game: “I think we played our worst game this far in the Wall2Wall League. Our midfielders kept the ball way too long and never chose to go for some quick passing. It was almost like they were waiting for somebody of the other team to steal of them. We hardly every switched the field. Against a defensive organized team that is the key. We were not eager enough to score the goal, especially on the good crosses from Lexi and the 1v1’s with the goalkeeper. We should have scored more goals and easily have won this game. Giving away the game with mistakes in the back like the one in this game is unacceptable for the level we want to and will play. The U18 Girls worked really hard and played very organized, but with all do respect, we would have beat them if we just would have done what we are supposed and able to do. A big fail on our side.”
Dutch Lions FC U27 Boys – WC Panthers
Sunday, February 14, 3.00 PM
Final Score: 0-2 WC Panthers Win
Players of the Game:
No game report received
Dutch Lions FC U18 Boys – CU Saints U17
Sunday, February 24, 12.00 PM
Final Score: 1-1
Players of the Game:
No game report received