Friday, June 28, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio – A strong thunderstorm blew in shortly after game start causing a weather delay, but it didn’t stop the Dayton Dutch Lions’ Kathryn Dolesh from her hat trick, which helped topple the Atlanta Silverbacks. Coach Sid van Druenen was pleased with the 4-1 win, especially for Dolesh’s accomplishment, but praised the “multiple weapons” in the Dayton arsenal for the total team effort that produced the win. Van Druenen explained, “You could see that the Atlanta was focusing on Emilie and Juliana and obviously it’s great to know that, if they (Fillion and Libertin) have a tougher game or more of a mark on them, then Dolesh has the game that scores three goals. But even with her amazing game, it’s definitely a team effort.”
After returning to the field, Dayton (4-1-1) pounced early with Dolesh’s first goal of the match. In the 11th minute, Dolesh went one on one with Atlanta (3-3-1) defender Autumn Matthews, sidestepped, and shot the ball, putting a strange back spin to it which whirled it just out of the reach of Atlanta keeper Jamie Simmons.
In spite of the early Dayton goal, Atlanta dominated the first thirty minutes of the match with several opportunities, including a 26th minute attempt by Cherie Sayon, who had some help from Washida Blackman. Both found themselves disappointed by a well-positioned Dayton defense, and Dutch Lions’ keeper Helena McCurdy was happy to see fellow Dutch Lion Alex Warren’s body block after punching a ball back out for an unfortunate Atlanta re-set.
Both teams emerged from the locker room strong for the second half, which also featured heightened physicality and equal possession by both. Dolesh’s second Dayton goal came in the 56th minute off a Emilie Fillion assist amid some confusion in front of the Atlanta goal.
Soon after, Atlanta’s Savannah Jordan fought her way through the Dayton defensive pack and shot a bullet to the far post, putting Atlanta on the board with their only goal of the night. But Dayton recouped its loss with a Libertin cornerkick which found the head of Sarah Senoyuit who promptly knocked the ball into Atlanta’s goal, sending Dayton further ahead 3-1. Dolesh finished up with her hat trick, again capitalizing on a Fillion assist and bringing the final score to 4-1, Dayton.
Coach van Druenen emphasized the power of the team effort. “Defensively today we didn’t give a whole lot away. Beating Atlanta 4-1 at home proves we’re here to compete for those playoffs.
The Dayton Dutch Lion’s Womens’ team (4-1-1) meets the Atlanta Silverbacks (3-3-1) once again on Sunday, June 30th at 3:30, at the Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek. The Dayton Women hit the road for their next two matches, facing the Charlotte Lady Eagles (3-4-0) on July 5th and then Atlanta in their home stadium on July 6th