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Dayton Dutch Lions Tie Orlando City with One Man Down

July 14, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Dutch Lions (7-4-6) found themselves on the hot seat, but managed to pull out a tie with the USL Pro's top-ranked Orlando City Lions (11-2-5) on a muggy Sunday evening in Beavercreek's Miami Valley Hospital Stadium.

Orlando shot out of the gate with an early offensive thrust dominated by strong possession-oriented style, putting Dayton's Brock Granger, Gregory Preciado and Shane Smith on the defensive front throughout the first half. In the 24th minute, Orlando City's Dennis Chin pounced on confusion in the box after Dayton keeper Matt Williams dropped a save and Preciado attempted to defend the goal. Orlando took the lead, 1-0.

Soon after, Dayton's Tjeerd Westdijk managed to make himself huge in the Orlando box and, attempting to put his foot on a well-placed corner kick, skipped the ball to Shintaro Harada who buried it to the Orlando back post for a Dayton goal, equalizing in 35th minute.

But the Orlando City hits kept coming and the 43rd minute took them ahead when Orlando City's James O'Conner scored off a back heel flick by CJ Sapong, bringing the game to 2-1 at the half.

Coach Jack Hermans, filling in for Head Coach Patrick Bal, noted at this point the entire Dayton team decided to step up and to do what was needed.

However, shortly after the half, Dayton's Harada was ejected from the game and Dayton played the remainder of the game one man down. Dayton lucked out with a golden opportunity in the 59th minute when Joel DeLass nailed a PK after an Orlando handball in the box, and the game was tied 2-2.

But lady luck eluded the Dayton team a bit later when Dayton keeper Matt Williams was awarded a yellow card, giving Orlando City's Sapong the opportunity to hit a successful PK that pushed them ahead, 3-2. An 87th and 89th minute substitution proved prophetic for Dayton, when Brandon Swartzendruber, flanked by Joe Broekhuizen, tied the game up for Dayton, and the game ended 3-3.

Coach Hermans was happy with the efforts of the team. "The first half was a little lackadaisical, starting with the warmup. There is a slight change, the head coach is not here, which is a little different, but I told the boys "˜It's not changing, it's your game, you can do this.' And they did."

The Dutch Lions travel and take on some more tough teams for the next three games, beginning with the Charleston Battery (7-5-6) on July 19. Dayton then plays the Charlotte Eagles (8-2-8) on July 20, and faces the Harrisburg City Islanders on July 24. They return home to the Frank Zink Miami Valley Hospital Stadium on Friday, July 26th, facing the Antigua Barracudas (0-19-0) For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.

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