The Dayton Dutch Lions look to put an exclamation point on three-match swing away from home when they visit Harrisburg on Wednesday evening. Despite fantastic efforts on back-to-back nights, the Dutch Lions’ recent trip through the Carolinas resulted in a single point. Dayton will be looking to capitalize on its chances in Pennsylvania’s capitol in order to return home with a bigger cushion in the playoff race.
Even though the results Charleston and Charlotte fell short of the team’s goals, the Dutch Lions (7-5-7) moved up to seventh the USL PRO standings, and are in position to make the playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2011. With a quarter of the season remaining, Dayton has already set team records for points, wins, and goals scored.
Harrisburg (11-8-1) occupies the fourth position in the league table with 34 points. Like the Dutch Lions, though, the City Islanders have recently struggled to accumulate points. Harrisburg has lost three of its last four matches. A loss to the Dutch Lions would extend the City Islanders’ losing streak to three matches on their home field at Skyline Sports Complex.
This will be the first time that Dayton and Harrisburg will meet on the pitch in 2013. The teams got together three times last season, splitting the series 1-1-1. The Dutch Lions dropped the first match on City Island, but bounced back to get a draw on the return trip. Dayton held on for a 2-1 victory at home in the third contest.
Dayton returns home to face the Antigua Barracuda on Friday, July 26 at 7:00 PM at Beavercreek High School. The contest against the Barracuda is one of only three remaining regular season home dates for the Dutch Lions in 2013.