Dayton, OH, June 20 2014. The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (3-8-2) travelled to play the Rochester Rhinos (5-4-5). Dayton coming off a win last weekend brings with them their big striker Aaron Schoenfeld, on loan from the Columbus Crew, who earned United Soccer League’s PRO player of the week honors. Despite leading the charge, Schoenfeld could not put the Lions on the board and the Rhinos would earn this win.
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC came out playing their game, using their passing skills to spread the field and look for opportunities down field. They had control of their half, but had trouble moving the ball into Rochester’s half with the Rhinos defense staying in control of their end. The Rhinos kept their offensive pressure on the Lions and created several scoring opportunities in and near Dayton’s box, but the Dayton defense and Dayton’s keeper Matt Williams stepped up. Rochester would continue throughout the half to come close but they were unable to finish. Dayton would end the half with only a few weak chances. The teams would head into the locker rooms at the half with the game scoreless.
The beginning of the second half saw much of the same. Dayton would get the ball only to have it taken away in Rochester’s half. The Rhinos would continue to press deep into Dayton’s end only to be thwarted at the last second by Dayton. Both teams were marking well until Rochester’s Minh Vu found an opening down the right and in the fifty fourth minute, he put a beautiful ball up to Levi Houapeu who had gotten to the inside of his defender and coming into the middle, was able to put it into the net high and left of Dayton’s keeper. The Rhinos pressure caused confusion for the Lions in the back shortly thereafter and in the sixtieth minute a run into the box by Rochester saw Dayton’s Matt Wiet commit a foul. A penalty kick was given and in the sixty first minute JC Banks stepped up to put it away for Rochester. Led by Aaron Schoenfeld the Dayton offense would find some rhythm and create several opportunities in front of the Rochester goal, but would not be able to score. The game would end Dayton Dutch Lions FC 0 and the Rochester Rhinos 2.
Dayton Dutch Lions FC’s Coach Sid van Druenen had this to say about the game. “ After a decent first half were we dominated possession but didn’t create a lot of chances I was hoping to see a second half with some chances for us but it was the other way around. We made it easy for the Rhinos with a open header in the box and a penalty kick and that resulted in two goals against us. With the subs we created some more offensive threat but were unable to capitalize. Another tough loss but we will keep looking for points in the upcoming games and try to keep our season alive”.
The Dayton Dutch Lions (3-9-2) return home on Sunday, June 22nd to play Orlando City SC (11-0-3) at 3:00pm at DOC stadium. They travel to Highmark Stadium to play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1-7-5) on Saturday, June 28th at 7pm. Dayton returns home to DOC Stadium for a second game against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, July 1st at 7pm. For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.
Dayton Dutch Lions FC-Rochester Rhinos 0-2
54’ Houapeu, Vu 0-1
61’ Banks (pk) 0-2
Dayton Dutch Lions FC: Williams, Granger, Wiet, Friedman (Felix), Smith (Kissinger) Bowlin (Broekhuizen), Thuriere, Harada (Clemens), Schoenfeld, Garner, Vickers (Walker)
Rochester Rhinos: Soffner, Obasi, Hoffer, Diallo, McMahon, Petrone (Slogic), Sundly (Rosenlund) (Walls), Banks, Rozeboom, Vu (Luzunaris), Houapeu (Mendoza)