DDL FC clinches play off spot! Beat Harrisburg 3-1

DDL FC clinches play off spot! Beat Harrisburg 3-1

Dayton Dutch Lions FC come back from 1-0 deficit at halftime by goals of Garner, Bardsley and Schwartzendruber

Dayton, August 17 2013 - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC made the playoffs tonight for the first time in it's three year history and recorded a winning season (10-9-7) with 37 points. The Lions beat Harrisburg, to whom they lost away 5-1 with 3-1 after being behind 0-1 at halftime.

 

Despite knowing the Lions needed a win to qualify Harrisburg came out aggressively and took an early 1-0 lead due to a second-minute goal by Coady Andrews from a corner. but kept playing their own game putting pressure on early and passing the ball around looking for depth with Garner and Bardsley on the wings. Ganer was launched twice and got one on one with Harrisburg goalie Nick Noble but he saved twice, same with Bardsley who got through around the 30 minute mark. The game came close to tying just before the halftime break as Dayton hit the post and had a shot by Bardsley cleared off the line.

 

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Eli Garner scoring 1-1

Dayton came out with the same attitude the 2nd half and would finally get back on even terms in the 56th minute as Eli Garner found the back of the net, receiving the ball in the top left corner of the box, cutting inside to his right and scored in the lower right corner. Six minutes later Gibson Bardsley would score what would prove the game-winning goal of a great cross from the right getting in front of his defender putting the ball high in the net. Brandon Swartzendruber added a third in the 69th minute as he battled a long kick from Matt Williams and chipped the ball over Noble for a comfortable 3-1 lead. Harrisburg tried to move people forward but the Dayton defense stood very strong tonight not giving up any chance. Garner had another chance to score bis second on a breakaway but the ball was cleared leaving the score 3-1.

 

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The Dutch Lions’ seeding is to be determined, with Dayton finishing seventh should the LA Blues fall to the Rochester Rhinos later on Saturday, and eighth should the Blues earn a point in the final game of the season.

 

Dayton Coach Patrick Bal joined in the enthusiasm, citing the results as “absolutely fantastic!”  Bal expressed pride in his team, saying, “I think we created the most chances in one game in this game.  We had to be there today.  Besides the US Open Cup success last year, today was the biggest moment in these guys’ careers sofar, maybe…for sure it is the biggest in the club’s history making the playoffs after three years slowly building!  And they stepped up to the level we hadn’t seen in a couple of weeks." Coach Bal quickly shifted his attention to the future, and the Dayton Dutch Lions’ début in the USL Pro playoffs.  “We’re going to play to win,” Bal emphasized.  “We’re not just going to play to be part of the playoffs.  We’re going to play to win.”

 

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 Coach Patrick Bal

 

Line up: Williams, Lord, Presciado, Harada, Granger, DeLass, Khutsidze, Madigan (Kissinger), Bardsley, Schwartzendruber, Garner (MBengue)

 

More info, quotes and pictures will be posted shortly