Dutch Lions sharpen teeth for Hammerhead visit

Dutch Lions sharpen teeth for Hammerhead visit

Dayton Team Seeking Playoff Position “One Hurdle at a Time” Says Coach Patrick Bal

 

Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- Friday, August, 2, 2013. DAYTON, OH …..With five games left in their USL Pro regular season, the Dayton Dutch Lions are viewing this weekend’s games as an important step toward their quest for a seat at the table in the upcoming USL Pro playoffs.

 

Dayton (8-6-7), now in USL Pro’s 7th position, is close to a club debut in the playoffs, but at this point, Dayton Coach Patrick Bal will only cross one hurdle at a time.  Winning this weekend’s games, both on the road and at home, is his sole focus for now.

 

The Dutch Lions are preparing for tonight’s game in Rochester against the Rhinos (4-8-10), and then will travel back to Dayton to host a match on Sunday, August 4th against the Wilmington Hammerheads (6-11-4).

 

Sunday’s game will be the first time the Dutch Lions and the Hammerheads face off in the 2013 USL Pro season, and Coach Bal, who fully expects a winning result, is very serious about the outcome.   “We’ve got to get through this weekend, do well, and gain some points.  We’ll look at the rest of the schedule after that,” says Coach Bal.

 

Dayton Forward Eddie Hertsenberg agrees.  “The upcoming games are really important for us.  Playing away is always tough, and Rochester’s consistently large crowd is a big challenge.”  Hertsenberg, too, is not willing to look past the weekend, but acknowledged the return home to take on the Hammerheads will further leverage Dayton’s chances for a playoff position.  “Coming home on Sunday we’ll hopefully have the boost from our own Dayton crowd, but we need to do well the next two games to games to solidify our spot in the playoffs, even as we continue to have a successful season.”

 

Tonight Dayton is in Sahlen’s Stadium, the home field for the Rochester Rhinos, with game start at 7:35.  They pack their bags and return home to Dayton to face the Wilmington Hammerheads at 6:30 on Sunday August 4th in Miami Valley Hospital Stadium. For game tickets click here.