Saturday, May 25, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio –The Dayton Dutch Lions’ Womens’ team opened with a nicely fought 1-0 victory over the Charlotte Lady Eagles in their W-League season debut. Kelly DeNiro’s 81st minute goal from a Elizabeth Soto throw in to a Juliana Libertin assist resulted in the home team’s first league win of the season in Miami Valley Hospital Stadium.
Dayton Dutch Lions started flat and timid, but put their shoes on for the game about halfway into the first half. At that point, the Dutch style showed up with the Dayton Women playing their characteristic possession ball, but Charlotte matched the level of intensity and energy that the Dutch Lions brought to the pitch. In spite of great footwork by both teams there was no clear domination in the first half for either, and the women exited at the half with the score 0-0.
Knowing this, Dayton’s head coach, Sid van Druenen had something to say to the women at the half in the locker room. Coach explained: “This is the first game at this level so in the locker room, even during the warm up, they were so nervous and the atmosphere was so tense even with us telling them to transform that nervousness into a work ethic.” Van Druenen continued, “I think we needed that 45 minutes -- I told them to shake it off and get us that win. We can play so much better. Second half, they did exactly that. It was a great start to the season.”
Dayton’s defense tangled with Charlotte forward Jordan Hatler most of the evening, as she pressed the Dutch Lions, starting early with quick feet and aggressive plays but no results for Charlotte, thanks to stout effort by Dayton’s Soto and Alex Warren. The win featured highlights by Dayton Dutch Lions’ keeper Brooke McCurdy, who made her presence known with good saves and aggressive aerial play often in a game marked by her strong ownership of the Dayton goalie box.
The Dayton Dutch Lion’s Womens’ team will host their next home game at the Miami Valley South Stadium on Saturday, June 1st, at 5:30 pm, against the Carolina Elite Cobras.