WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Wilmington Hammerheads got a 94th stoppage-time goal from Cody Arnoux to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions FC at Legion Stadium on Friday night. Wilmington missed several near chances the last few minutes of the game and the Lions seemed to get away with a much needed tie until Arnoux was given too much space in the box scoring 2-1.
The Hammerheads came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute as Kyle Greig had a header well saved by Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams. Wilmington would strike first 11 minutes later, however, as a knockdown by Daniel Steres came to Mickael Oliveira, who fired home a spectacular finish to give his side a halftime lead. Greig came close to scoring 2-0 10 minutes before halftime as his shot hit the crossbar, but the Hammerheads would take a 1-0 lead to the halftime break.
The Lions scored the equalizer on a free kick that dropped just before the goalie in the box and allowed Joey Madigan to tie the game up in the 68th minute. Wilmington, needing victory to stay alive in the race for the USL PRO Playoffs, pushed forward in the final 10 minutes, with Arnoux almost finding the go-ahead goal as a flicked effort went just wide of the right post. In the final minute of stoppage time, however, Arnoux would give his side victory as a pass into the penalty area found him 15 yards from goal with the Lions defenders giving too much space, and his low shot clipped the inside of the left post and went in for a 2-1 score.
The Dutch Lions FC travelled to Richmond right after the game to face the Kickers tonight at 7pm before returning home August 17 for the season finale. The team needs three more points to get in the playoffs.