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Dayton Dutch Lions Clinch Playoff Position

August 17, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


DAYTON, OH .....In their final game of the USL Pro Season, the Dayton Dutch Lions (10-9-7) have clinched their position in the post-season playoffs with a 3-1 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders (14-10-2) on Saturday night in the Frank Zink Field/Miami Valley Hospital Stadium.

Things looked a little dicey for the Dutch Lions when, in the second minute of the game, the City Islanders' defensive back Coady Anderson got his head on the ball and sent it sailing into the Dutch Lions' goal for an early Harrisburg lead.

Dayton hunkered down with several opportunities for retaliation in the first half, including an intense sprint down the right flank by Gibson Bardlsey who rammed the ball toward the City Islander's keeper Nick Noble, but it curved out just shy of the goal. Dayton's Eli Garner charged in the City Islander's box, but Noble scooped it up off his feet for the save. Garner had several other opportunities which found Noble out of his box, with Harrisburg's defensive backs, Stephen Basso and Andrews, stepping up each time and denying the Dayton goal.

The second half saw a fierce Dayton attack that never relented. Dayton forward Eli Garner, playing all out, started with a Dayton rally that wouldn't stop. His efforts paid off in the 57nd minute when he made good on throughball from Irakli Khutsidze and scored for Dayton, tying things up 1-1.

Several moments later Bardlsey took his turn and nailed it home to the back post, with Dayton going ahead 2-1 in the 67th minute.

Dayton sealed the deal with a third goal by Brandon Schwartzendruber, who saw his chance two minutes later, when he crept within yards of the box and, with great composure, lifted a deft touch over Noble, who mis-stepped, and turned to watch the ball curl down the back of the goal. Dayton strengthened their lead to 3-1, maintaining for the win and a well-earned playoff position. An exuberant Dayton applauded their fans and left the field with the 3-1 victory behind them.

Dayton Coach Patrick Bal joined in the enthusiasm, citing the results as "absolutely fantastic!" Bal expressed pride in his team, saying, "I think we created the most chances in one game in THIS game. We HAD to be there today. Today was the biggest moment in these guys' careers, maybe...for sure it is the biggest in the Club's history! And they stepped up to the level we hadn't seen in a couple of weeks."

Coach Bal quickly shifted his attention to the future, and the Dayton Dutch Lions' début in the USL Pro playoffs. "We're going to play to win," Bal emphasized. "We're not just going to play to be part of the playoffs. We're going to play to win."

The Dayton Dutch Lions wish to thank their fans and sponsors for an exciting USL Pro Season, and invite everyone to visit the Dutch Lions website for tickets and updates to the USL Pro playoffs. The Dutch Lions strive to create a professional environment with integrity and ethical conduct for its pro players and its youth, promoting competitive excellence, sportsmanship and community service.

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