Dayton's Garner Named USL PRO Player of the Week
June 26, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for week 12 of the 2012 season today, honoring Dayton Dutch Lions forward Eli Garner as Player of the Week after he recorded a pair of goals in his side's 4-0 victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday night, the Dutch Lions' first league win of the season.
Garner, who attended this year's USL PRO Combine presented by Umbro at the IMG Soccer Academy, hit twice on breakaways, giving the Dutch Lions a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute after fellow combine attendee Gibson Bardsley had opened the scoring for Dayton. Garner was able to break from the halfway line after being released by a flicked header by Bardsley, and he rounded the goalkeeper before tapping into the open goal.
Garner capitalized on a defensive breakdown to score his second goal, reading a back-pass to Wilmington's Alex Horwath that allowed him to steal in and take possession before Horwath could reach the ball to clear. The former University of North Carolina forward then finished from a tight angle on the right side, giving the Dutch Lions a 3-0 lead in the 40th minute.
Joining Garner on the Team of the Week was his Dayton teammate Matt Williams, who recorded six saves for his second shutout of the season. Orlando's Dennis Chin was also selected after his two-goal performance led the Lions to a 3-0 win against Harrisburg, while J.C. Banks' game-winning goal and assist for the Rochester Rhinos against Richmond also earned him a berth on the team.
Charleston's Navion Boyd was the third forward selected after his goal and assist against Harrisburg on Saturday night, and he was joined by defender Colin Falvey, who put in another strong performance. Pittsburgh also had a pair of players selected after the Riverhounds' 2-1 win against Wilmington, with midfielder Mike Seth being named after he contributed the game-winning assist and defender Nikola Katic helping shut down what had recently been a prolific Hammerheads' attack.
Joining Katic and Falvey in the back line were Rochester's Troy Roberts, who put in a solid outing in his side's victory against Richmond, and Orlando's Jerome Mecheck, who had the assist on Matt Luzunaris' goal against Harrisburg.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos Player Team Highlights
GK Matt Williams Dayton Recorded six-save shutout as Dutch Lions took victory
D Jerome Mecheck Orlando Had assist, and solid defensive performance, against Harrisburg
D Colin Falvey Charleston Won possession well in victory against City Islanders
D Troy Roberts Rochester Stalwart was consistent as Rhinos took big road victory
D Nikola Katic Pittsburgh Clamped down on potent Hammerheads attack in victory
M J.C. Banks Rochester Had game-winning goal and assist as Rhinos snapped winless streak
M Mike Seth Pittsburgh Impact substitute had assist on game-winning goal for Riverhounds
M Luke Vercollone Richmond Scored early goal for Kickers, his second against Rhinos this season
F Navion Boyd Charleston Goal and assist were good reward for work against Harrisburg
F Eli Garner Dayton Pair of goals led Dutch Lions to first league win of season
F Dennis Chin Orlando Continued strong season with a two-goal performance
Honorable Mention - Charleston: John Wilson, Jose Cuevas; Dayton: Gibson Bardsley, Eric Kissinger; Orlando: Matt Luznaris; Pittsburgh: Darren Amoo, Hunter Gilstrap; Richmond: Jason Yeisley; Rochester: Isaac Kissi, Graciano Brito.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 26, 2012
- June 26 Match Report: Philadelphia Ousts Harrisburg from U.S. Open Cup in Quarterfinals - Penn FC
- Dayton Dutch Lions Lose in Quarterfinals - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Santos Laguna, Léon Announce Rosters for Copa Campéon de Campeones - Orange County SC
- Dayton's Garner Named USL PRO Player of the Week - USL
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