The 2018 season can be described in one encompassing word...OUTSTANDING. The Dayton Dutch Lions had their best season in club history and continue to grow players for the next level being the Gateway to Professional soccer.
We would like to thank all of the fans who came out to support us at the DOC Stadium or on social media. We want to thank our ownership group, led by Majority Owner and CEO, Dr. Suresh Gupta (pictured above with family and DDL players) for their support this season. We would not have had such an outstanding season without all of you.
In November, General Manager Ric Campbell hired his third coach in as many seasons for the PDL team. His charge to his new head coach, "Recruit a new team and let's have a new ambition."
First year Head Coach Dan Griest and his coaching staff did have a new ambition as they assembled a squad of over 45 players for the season. Providing leadership that pushed for teamwork, playing for each other and a consistent focus for each match, they led DDL FC to the Great Lakes Division championship with a regular season record of 8-3-3 and an automatic berth in the postseason. The division title and qualification for the Central Conference playoffs were two of several firsts for the club.
The Lions started the season taking only a point in its home opener. The 1-1 draw with WV Chaos in mid-May left the boys hungry for more as they felt they let points get away. They satisfied that hunger with the first four game winning streak in club history. They outscored their opponents 12-3 getting away wins over the Michigan Bucks and WV Chaos and two home wins versus the Derby City Rovers. The five game unbeaten streak took them to the top of the division and is a position they did not relinquish the entire season.
The middle of the season was played at .500 with a 2-2-2 record. The positive is the Lions followed both losses with a win as they introduced new players into the game day rosters and looked at multiple players in key positions. This seasoning of players was vital for the playoff run as injuries and calls home started to impact the roster in July.
RELATED: 2018 Schedule Results
Dayton entered the final two weeks of the season in control of their playoff fate, but played the two teams chasing them for the postseason. Dayton had back-to-back away matches versus the Cincinnati Dutch Lions and then home against Lansing United.
The Lions avenged an earlier loss with a hard-fought 1-0 win in the first CDL FC matchup. This put Dayton in the enviable position of being able to win the title outright in the next match.
The Lions made club history on Friday the 13th when they played their best match of the season in a 4-0 blowout against Cincinnati. Dayton scored in the 13th and 14th minutes to take control of the match and led 2-0 at halftime. They scored in the 52nd and 54th minutes to put the game out of reach. As Coach Griest emptied his bench and time ticked down, the joy on the sidelines was building. The final whistle brought the first division title to the Dayton Dutch Lions and started the celebration.
With the playoffs secured, Coach Griest planned for the postseason just five days away and handed nine Lions their first starts of the year in the final match versus Lansing. Dayton created several good scoring chances in the opening half, but could not finish and trailed 1-0 at the break. Two quick goals in the second half put the game out of reach and the regular season was over.
The Dayton Dutch Lions traveled to Des Moines, Iowa for the Central Conference playoffs where they would play the #4 seed Chicago FC United. The Lions struggled at the start of the match and found little rhythm or possession. This continued as Chicago started to take control of the game and were rewarded with a goal just under the 30 minute mark. The Lions responded as they had all year and picked up the pressure on the offensive end and started pushing numbers forward. This response led to three goals in the final 15 minutes as the Lions led 3-1 at halftime. No one could have expected the second half as the Lions conceded 4 unanswered goals and fell 5-3 to the eventual conference champions, Chicago FC United in the first round.
This defeat in no way diminished the fact that the team exceeded expectations the entire summer and Coach Griest's first year at the helm was one for the club's PDL record book:
- First Great Lakes Division Title (Qualifies team for the 2019 U.S. Open Cup)
- First Central Conference Playoff Appearance
- First Team to Lead Title Race All-Season
- First Team in Power Rankings All-Season
- Longest Winning Streak (4 Games)
- Most Shutouts (5)
- Fewest Goals Allowed (20)
- Most Goals Scored (32)
- Best Goal Differential (+12)
- Best Away Record 5-0-2
- Largest Margin of Victory (6-0 win over Derby City)
The 2018 squad had 33 players represent the club on game day and a roster that represented 14 countries, 21 universities and 13 prior clubs. The team was captained by central defender Jake Stovall, who led the team in minutes played (1,158). Jackson Dietrich and Bradley Schluter were the only players to appear in all 15 matches. Tate Robertson led the team in shots (30), assists (7), and points (21), while JJ Williams led the team in goals (9). Federico Barrios led the goalkeepers in saves (22).
Individually, the players set several club records as well:
- First PDL National Team of the Year - Tate Robertson
- First PDL National Player of the Week - Tate Robertson
- Club Record 3 Players Named to the PDL National Team of the Week
- Club Record 8 Players Named to the Central Conference Team of the Week
Individuals awards:
- Tate Robertson - Central Conference Team of the Week (4, 5, 10), National Team of the Week (5), Central All-Conference Best XI, PDL National Team of the Year Best XI
- Jackson Dietrich - Central Conference Team of the Week (4, 5, 7), National Team of the Week (4), Central All-Conference Honorable Mention
- Harvey Slade - Central Conference Team of the Week (5, 7), Central All-Conference Honorable Mention
- Jake Stovall - Central Conference Team of the Week (9, 10), National Team of the Week (10)
- JJ Williams - Central Conference Team of the Week (9, 10, 11)
- Chris Dupont - Central Conference Team of the Week (3)
- Emiel Wendt - Central Conference Team of the Week (9)
- Bradley Schluter - Central Conference Team of the Week (11)
The Dayton Dutch Lions want to thank you for your support all season. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to keep updated on DDL FC events in the Miami Valley region. Please contact the Dutch Lions for questions or appearances or call at 937-503-2123.