The first-place Dayton Dutch Lions (6-2-3) will head south to take on the Cincinnati Dutch Lions (4-2-3) at Northern Kentucky University. Kickoff is 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 3. Dayton controls its destiny for a playoff spot and a win would go a long way in making that goal a reality. A third match between the two sides will take place on Friday, July 13 at NKU.
The Lions have responded nicely to their second loss of the season last week. They destroyed the Derby City Rovers 6-0 mid-week and fought hard on Saturday coming from behind twice to get a 2-2 draw with the Michigan Bucks. The four points earned is the lead they hold over second-place Lansing United. Michigan, Cincinnati and the WV Chaos are locked in a three-way tie for third six points back.
"We have to stay the course and not get too hyped for this game. Revenge cannot be a focus for us, but instead a clear commitment to doing the things we know will get us a result is what is most important," said Head Coach Dan Griest. "Dayton has not gotten a win vs CDLFC in four matches (2 L & 2 D) the past two seasons. It is our plan to break that streak and continue our drive to a playoff spot."
DDL FC have played very consistenly this year and have the most potent offense in the division. In all, 8 Lions have found the back of the net. They are led by Tate Robertson (Springfield, OH/Bowling Green) with 6 goals and 6 assists. Jackson Dietrich (Las Vegas, NV/Wright State) with five goals/four assists, forward Emiel Wendt (Netherlands/v.v. Noordwijk) four goals/1 assist and forward JJ Williams (Montgomery, AL/Kentucky) with 3 goals/2 assists follow Robertson in scoring.
Defensively, the regular back four of Bradley Schluter (Centerville, OH/CDL Dynamo), Jake Stovall (Centerville, OH/Puerto Rico FC), Harvey Slade (England/Wright State) and David Lianes (Spain/Dayton) have been a steady influence in front of 4 different goalkeepers and leading the team to three shutouts.
Cincinnati is riding a seven-game unbeaten streak after opening the season with back-to-back losses. Max Wilschrey leads the team in goals scored (5) and points (13). Wesley Storm has been the starting goalkeeper during the seven-game unbeaten streak, in which he’s amassed 38 saves while only allowing five goals scored. Central defenders, Mark Lindström and Kyle Clinton, have been integral defensively for CDLFC.
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The overall series consists of six matches against each other. CDLFC leads the series 2-1-3 (W-L-D). During the streak against Dayton, CDLFC have managed four straight shutouts. Dayton look to change that with these back-to-back road games on Tuesday, July 3 and Friday, July 13. Both matches will kickoff at 7pm.
The final home game will be Sunday, July 15th when they play host to Lansing United. Kickoff is 4:00pm. Tickets are $10 adults and $6 youth, military and veterans at the gate (5 and under free). Specially priced discounted tickets are available for groups of 12 or more by calling the ticket office at 937 530 2123.
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