Dayton Dutch Lions FC women's team (2-3-3) is at home against Fire & Ice SA on Saturday for a Women’s Premier Soccer League regular season contest. The match is set to begin at 7 PM at DOC Stadium in West Carrollton.
Dutch Lions FC and Fire & Ice played to a 1-1 draw earlier this month. Dayton held a one-goal lead before conceding the equalizer late in the match. “Fire & Ice are a well organized side. When we played them in St. Louis, their wingers gave us problems early on in the match,” said Dutch Lions FC Head Coach Bradley Schluter. “The game itself was fairly back and forth. We were unfortunate to concede late and drop points. Traveling teams always seem to have difficulty bringing players, so I will be curious to see the side Fire & Ice put out.”
Dayton is coming off a tough 4-1 loss against Lady Victory FC last Sunday. The lack of availability of key players at the end of a congested stretch in the schedule may have contributed to the result. The same problems won’t plague the Dutch Lions against Fire & Ice.
“We should have one of the more complete rosters we've had this season. While we are still missing a few players, we have a good balance of players in each position,” said Schluter. “Returning several core players in the backline will allow us to be more organized on the defensive side of things.”
Schluter added, “We've had a good week of training, I am expecting we put together a good performance this weekend.”
The Lions currently sit in 5th place in the WPSL Midwestern Conference standings, just one point behind Fire & Ice. Saturday’s winner will take the 4th position and edge closer to a possible postseason berth.