Sunday, May 26, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions took a 3-1 victory against the Antigua Barracudas at Beavercreek Stadium on Sunday night as goals by Joey Madigan, Eli Garner and Remco Klaasse solidified the Dutch Lions’ playoff position. The victory allowed Dayton to extend their undefeated streak to five games in all competitions.
The Dutch Lions controlled the game from the outset, with sharp passing creating opportunities for Dayton forwards Madigan and Brandon Swartzendruber, who were active up top receiving precise passes from Joel DeLass and Shintaro Harada. Antigua was able to withstand Dayton’s pressure until the 34th minute when Madigan found the back of the net off a Shane Smith cross from the left side, putting Dayton up 1-0.
The Barracudas did not have too many opportunities in the first half and only managed to put a few shots on the frame. Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams, with help from Brock Granger, Gregory Preciado and Taylor Lord, handled the back and easily defended the few Barracuda runs that came within shooting range. The only notable shot came from the Barracudas’ Orlando Mitchum from a free kick from just outside the penalty area, which hit Dayton’s defensive wall and rebounded back to Mitchum’s feet. He pulled the trigger for a second time, but the shot sailed high.
One minute later the Dutch Lions, back on the attack, sent a ball up to Madigan who carried into the left side of the penalty area. Antigua defender, Karanja Mack hooked Madigan and brought him down in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick that was converted by Garner to double the lead.
The second half saw more of the same type of Dayton-controlled possession ball, with Antigua continuing to give up space in the middle. In the 58th minute Swartzendruber pierced the defense for a fast break bursting from the middle, and the Barracudas goalkeeper Corey Whisenhunt challenged and pushed the ball to the left for a dramatic save. Second-half substutitions by Dutch Lions coach Patrick Bal proved key for the Dutch Lions, with Klaasse and Jeremy Cheeseman both coming on before combining in the 81st minute, Cheeseman serving a cross from the right that Klaasse pounced on and put in the net, giving Dayton a 3-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Antigua pulled a goal back from a corner kick after Harada cleared an attack over the goal line. Mitchum received the cross in the penalty area and put in the net. Despite some furious pressure late on from Antigua, Dayton was able to close out the match to take a 3-1 victory.
“Out of the 15-16 games we played we lost three, and that’s something new to the team, but that also something that changes your mentality, cause it doesn’t say you’re going to win your next game," Bal said, looking ahead. "It’s not going to come easy so every time you’ve still got to work hard. This Wednesday (for the Crew game) we’ve got to work hard.”
Line up:
Matt Williams, Shane Smith, Brock Granger (Jeremy Cheeseman), Greg Presciado, Taylor Lord (Irakli Khutsidze), Joel DeLass, Shintaro Harada, Tjeerd Westdijk (Gibson Bardsley), Joey Madigan (Eric Kissinger), Brandon Schwartzendruber (Remco Klaasse), Eli Garner
The Dayton Dutch Lions travel on Wednesday to Columbus to face the Crew in round three of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, when Major League Soccer’s 16 domestic clubs enter the tournament. Following that contest, the Dutch Lions are back on their home turf facing the Los Angeles Blues on Sunday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. and then the Columbus Crew once again.