Dayton Dutch Lions FC come back from 2 goals behind
Pittsburgh, May 18 2013 - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC picked up an important point on the road playing against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, after being behind 2-0. Gibson Bardsley and Tjeerd Westdijk scored for the Lions giving the team in front of nearly 4000 fans.
The Riverhounds jumped ahead of the Dutch Lions FC in the 10th minute when Arteaga headed the ball in from inside the six-yard box after a cross from Dallman. Although building up from the back, the Lions struggled finding an open man up front resulting in many long balls to Bardsley or Garner without creating any real danger except for an open chance for Irakli Khutsidze in the box. Pittsburgh got one more great opportunity when a shot hit the outside of the right post from 20 yards out.
In the second half a quick goal by the Riverhounds that was almost identical to the first. A long cross from Dallman to the second post and this time Angulo heading the ball in the left corner with no chance for Matt Williams. Coach Patrick Ball reacted by bringing Tjeerd Westdijk for Brock Granger moving Harado to the back and Westdijk close to Khutsidze and Schwartzendruber. The change resulted in some more threat up front and also a fantastic goal by Bardsley, who curved a pass from Westdijk from 25 yards out just underneath the crossbar for 2-1. The Riverhounds almost made it 3-1 after a cornerkick was headed at the first post to goal but Williams came up with a great save to keep the Lions in the game. It was Westdijk who scored 2-2 in the 84th minute after a good pass from Khutsidze into the box and Westdijk finishing with a rocket in the top right corner. A few minutes after that a throw in from the right with a header that went over the goalie that came out but went in front of goal to the outside. The Riverhounds pushed everyone forward needing the win but a strong Lions defense gave nothing up anymore.
Line up:
Matt Williams, Shane Smith, Brock Granger (Tjeerd Westdijk), Greg Presciado, Taylor Lord, Joel DeLass, Shintaro Harada, Irakli Khutsidze, Gibson Bardsley, Brandon Schwartzendruber (Eric Kissinger), Eli Garner (Joey Madigan)
The point keeps the Riverhounds 3 points behind the Lions and also 3 more games played. The Lions are playing again Tuesday in the second round of the US Open Cup against Dearborn. Next Sunday they host Antigua, who is currently in last place and opponent of Pittsburgh on Friday evening.