Dayton, OH (May 16, 2017) - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC opened their 4th Premier Development League (PDL) season with a well earned 2-0 win against the Derby City Rovers at DOC Stadium on the campus of West Carrollton High School. Two second half goals and a bend-but-not break defense provided an opening day shutout. The Lions look to host the 2016 and 3 time PDL champion, Michigan Bucks, next Tuesday, 5/23 at 7:00pm EST. Tickets for this PDL clash are $8 Adults and $6 Youth (14 and under) at the door. Children 5 and under are always free to Lions home games.
Tuesday night’s match against Derby City started out with the Rovers possessing most of the ball and taking the action to the hosts. Dayton's organized defense kept the Rovers from doing any early damage, although they had succesive corner kicks in the opening minutes. A great opportunity presented itself in the 23rd minute when a Rover forward was tripped by the Lions goalkeeper, Michael Yantz (Warsaw, IN/Fort Hays State University) in the penalty box as he was dribbling to goal. Yantz was given a yellow card warning as he prepared himself for the penalty. The Rover spot kicker struck a low hard drive to the left corner as Yantz timed his dive perfectly (pictured above) and pushed the shot around the post. The Rovers quickly took the corner and fired in a long range shot that hit the cross bar and bounced out. This great save, along with the shot off the bar, ignited the home squad and changed the momentum of the match.
Antonio Hernandez (Sioux City/Iowa Lakes CC) started to find openings along the left flank creating chances off the dribble and with his crosses. This led to several shots on goal that the Rovers keeper Braeden Luna handled easily, but put the majority of play in the Lions offensive end. Midfielders Glenn van Geldorp (Netherlands) and Cameron Philpott (New Zealand/SC Upstate) took control of the middle of the pitch which allowed the Lions to find a steady rhythm in the match.
Halftime came with no score, but DDL FC were playing very comfortably maintaining there shape and organization. Yantzs' big save and the strong work of his defense gave them confidence as they came out for the second half.
"During our halftime discussion, we outlined several changes we wanted to make to start to press the Rovers backline, stated head coach Marcus Rixon. "This pressure yielded a dividend in the first few minutes of the half. This early goal really gave us some confidence and the next 30 minutes were ours."
Just two minutes into the half, forward Rian Marques (Brazil/Iowa Lakes CC) pushed hard on the Rovers center back. His touch outwide was intercepted by Wladimir Babaew (Germany/Northern Kentucky University) who played a nice square pass into the path of the onrushing Kurt Raney (Mentor, OH/Baldwin Wallace University). Raney made no mistake hitting the ball first time and sending a rocket into the upper corner. The Lions led 1-0 at the 47 minute mark.
The Lions started to dominate play as they slowly worked the ball around the pitch trying to break down the visiting Rovers defense. With about 15 minutes to play, Dayton had back-to-back breakaway opportunities that could have put the game away. Hernandez had a great one-on-one chance, but the Rovers keeper made the foot save. Then Hussin Al-Yassiri (Cedar Rapids, IA) was played into the box, but his shot went wide and the score remained 1-0.
The Rovers seemed to rally a bit after the two misses and the Lions defense started to tire under the strong heat. Coach Rixon made two substitutions that paid almost instant reward. Charlie Maciejewski (Cincinnati/Bowling Green University) came on in the midfield and with his second touch of the ball doubled the Lions lead. Philpot won a loose ball on the right flank and crossed into the box. Maciejewski pushed hard to the near post and got his foot on the ball just ahead of the Derby City defender and it bounced over the keepers outstretched hand. The 83rd minute goal closed the door for the home side and put the Lions in a first place tie at the top of the table in the Great Lakes Division.
Associate head coach, Bruno Lopes shared, "It was an up and down performance, but a good win non-the-less. Our defense tired towards the end, yet they worked very hard to the final whistle. Hernandez gave the Rovers all kinds of issues and Yantz was just awesome in goal. This was a nice way to start the season as we have not even had all our players in training more than once in the preseason."
Keep up with the Lions all season long, visiting the Lions web site (www.ddlfc.com) and follow the team on social media on Twitter @DaytonDutch Lion, as well as on Facebook @DaytonDutchLionsFC.
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (1-0-0) resume play at home at DOC Stadium on Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00pm EST against the Michigan Bucks (1-0-0).
MATCH SUMMARY
Venue: DOC Stadium
Center Official: Kevin Fikar
Attendance: 314
Weather: Sunny and Warm
SCORING SUMMARY:
Dayton - Raney (Babaew) 47’
Dayton - Maciejewski (Philpot) 83’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
Dayton - Michael Yantz - yellow 23’
Dayton - Mathias Ferrez - yellow 90’
Derby City - N. Matzos - yellow 90+'
LINEUPS:
Dayton Dutch Lions FC: Yantz, Petrey, Dichlian Sarkor, Ferrez, Philpot (Davis 89'), van Geldorp, Raney, Babaew, Hernandez (Maciejewski 81'), Marques (Al-Yassiri H 66') DNP - Zimmerman, Roldon, Dowling
Derby City Rovers: Luna, Fofano, Rubatayiro, Brooks (Joy-Brandon 81'), Abdikadir, Canineu (Ibrahimkadic D 60'), Gwangmyeong (Thomas 71'), Fasteen (Kang 79'), Seidu (Ibrahimkadic I 53'), Tashiro, Matsoso DNP - Fischer