TEAM OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to all Dutch Lions players selected for our 7th team of the week! In week 7, Robbie (U13 Boys), has been nominated as the player of the week as his passing, positioning, and work ethic were sublime throughout the tournament.
GAME REPORTS
Dayton Dutch Lions FC U12 Girls
Tournament record: 0-2-1
Player of the tournament: Ilana
This past weekend, the U12 Girls team played in the Haunted Classic tournament. They started the competition with a Friday afternoon game against BSA Celtic. The team didn't have a great start and we put ourselves in tough situations with risky decisions with the ball when we were under pressure. After a rough beginning, the team found themselves and presented good moments of soccer, very organized without the ball, and using well the space offensively. The young ladies looked mainly for the through balls and the short pass combinations to reach the outside space from where the team created their best chances to score. However, the entire attacking work rate were not enough to break the 0-0.
Saturday, the young Lions faced the Worthington United team in a very close match from the initial whistle with two teams well organized on defense and reduced the number of goal scoring chances in both areas. Defensively, we conceded a couple of danger situations including a goal due a lack of communication inside the pitch, with two players running for the same ball and interfering with each other. Offensively, the girls have created a couple of great chances to increase the score however, a lack of serenity and confidence in this last moment kept the game tied 1-1 to finish the game.
Sunday, the team played their third game of the tournament facing the CWSC Celtic Bears. A great challenge, where the young lions knew that only a win would give them access to a spot at the final. The team had a good start, showing great organization and knowing exactly what to do with the ball. It was good see how the team tried to build up from the back, using the entire field, and looking mostly for the short pass option to move the ball up the field, which we were able to score our goal. During the second period, a couple of mistakes were committed and cost us 2 goals however, the young ladies never give up and showed a tremendous attitude to revert the situation, unfortunately, our efforts were not enough to revert the 2-1 score line.
After the last game, coach Bruno has the following to say about the tournament: "This tournament was a great challenge for us, it's true that we didn't reach the final but is also true that we gave a great image of ourselves here. In all the three games, the girls tried to impose our game style on the pitch, well organized, looking for the short combinations, we had a great field occupation, even when facing tougher opponents." Concluding "I couldn't be more proud of each one of my girls, they have a terrific attitude inside and outside the field. They showed here that we are going in the right direction as a team"
After all the three games we had a couple of players who could be distinguished as player of the match, however we decided to nominate Ilana for all her defensive work rate. She was aggressive on the ball and showed a great positional sense, covering her teammates several times.
FC Tippecanoe Victory 03 vs. Dayton Dutch Lions U12 Boys
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Result: 2-3 (2-0)
Player of the game: Aaron
The Dutch Lions U12 Boys played this Wednesday in their 5th game of the Fall Season 2015 against FC Tippecanoe Victory 03 with 2-3 win in an enthusiastic game with a great collective performance for the Dutch Lions boys.
Offensively, in the 1st half the boys controlled the game since the beginning, with more possession and spending most of the time on the opponents half and had some good combinations creating a lot of chances to score. The lions created scoring opportunities but were not effective at finishing and went to the half time down by 1 goal.
At the 2nd half, the lions believed that it was possible to reverse the result if they continued to play the same with the same attitude and a little more assertiveness at the time to shoot on goal and in the second half, the lions scored 3 goals.
Defensively, the Lions showed a great mental attitude, especially at the 2nd half, where they started more focused and determined. With the game becoming more physical, the boys were more aggressive on the individual duels with good recoveries and covers.
Coach Paulo said after the game “The boys played with a tremendous attitude and will power. Its not easy came back from 2 goals down, but they did, and deserve it for the all the hard work during whole game”.
Coach Paulo nominated Aaron as the player of the game for his physical play and speed, and for the hat trick he scored this game.
Dayton Dutch Lions FC U14 Girls
Tournament record: 1 W – 1 T – 1 L
Players of the Tournament: Anna/Camille
The Dutch Lions U14 Girls competed in the BSA Haunted Classic in their first tournament of the fall season. The Lions had a great showing at the tournament going 1-1-1 and only allowing 2 goals the entire weekend.
The Lions kicked off the tournament facing Real Bellbrook in a physical matchup. Offensively, the Lions did well keeping possession of the ball and also had excellent penetrating through ball behind the Bellbrook defensive line. Defensively, the Lions were strong in their tackles remained organized throughout the game. Anna would seal the victory with a goal in the 2nd half with a strong left footed shot past the keeper.
The next game featured DDL U14 Girls vs. HCSC Girls 02. Offensively, attacks up the flanks were most effective by the Lions, which resulted in numerous dangerous scoring opportunities. Defensively, the Lions regained composure after giving up an early goal and shut down the HCSC offence to close out the game. A late goal from JJ would complete the tie and another solid result for the Lions.
The final game for the Lions would be against the Greene County Cosmos who are same MVYSA league division. Offensively, the Lions had limited scoring opportunities but were effective in their 1v1 actions. Defensively, the Lions defended well as a team remained solid for the final game of the tournament. A goal early in the 2nd half would seal the victory for the Greene County Cosmos.
Coach Shane had this to say about the weekend, “I am very proud of our girls performance this tournament! We were able to beat a physical and competitive Bellbrook team, tie the eventual tournament champions (HCSC), and only allowed 2 goals all weekend. We have a lot of potential on this team and hopefully we can build off the confidence the girls showed this weekend.”
Coach Shane nominated Anna and Camille as the players of the tournament for their leadership on the field and tremendous work ethic throughout the tournament.
Dayton Dutch Lions U14 Boys vs. WSC Fury
Sunday, October 18th, 2015
Result: 4-3 L
Man of the match: Alfonso
The boys played a good game but unfortunately they did not win. Offensively, we did a great job by scoring 3 goals. Griffin scored the first goal after a great cross from Alfonso. The same half, Alfonso scored the second goal for the U14 Boys after a great shot! In the second half Caden scored the third goal for the Lions. He scored with a nice shot after receiving a good pass from Griffin.
Defensively, the boys had a little bit an off day. Defenders were too late sometimes or were not focused at some important situations. The boys made it too easy for WSC Fury and unfortunately for the Lions the other team scored 4 goals.
Coach Michiel after the game, “Some players have to pay more attention during practice and when I explain something. I can see the players in the field who are improving because they work hard and listen. Some players they don’t and then you don’t improve as much as the rest. Our 3 goals were great, but defensively we had a big off-day.’
The coach was clear about his Man of the Match:’ A few players played a good game, but with his assist and his goal, Alfonso was the player of our team today.’