Dayton Dutch Lions Women Fall to Carolina Elite Cobras in Southeastern Conference Final

Published on July 20, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


DAYTON, Ohio "" The Dutch Lion Women's team (5-3-3) were defeated on a sultry night in Beavercreek's Miami Valley Hospital Stadium by the Carolina Elite Cobras (6-4-1). The Lady Cobras now advance to the W-League Championship presented by Nike in Bradenton, Florida.

Dayton and Carolina both appeared hungry from the start, and went on the offensive early. Both displayed strong possession and the linking play throughout the midfield on both sides created many opportunities, but the Carolina opportunities had better results.

Midway through the first half, the Cobra's Tiffini Turin received a throughball from the left flank, stared down Dayton keeper Helena McCurdy, and pulled the trigger. McCurdy punched the ball out but it found the feet of Turin who nailed the second attempt for the score, 1-0.

As the half was closing, Carolina's India Trotter shook Dayton defender Alexandra Warren loose and charged one on one with McCurdy, stuttering a half-second before scooting the ball to the far right post just out of the diving reach of the Dutch Lions' goalkeeper. The teams left the field at the half with the score 2-0, Carolina.

After a locker room conversation, the Dutch Lions appeared to be up on their toes for the second half, once again creating many opportunities but unable to convert. Late substitute Erika Kay seemed determine to make things happen and found her moment with a headball forward to Emilie Fillion in the 83rd minute but the Carolina defender, Blakely Mattern, shielded the Dayton player to prevent the score.

Moments later, Juliana Libertin, flanked by Carolina's Tabitha Padgett and Kaleigh Kurtz, broke free but the Cobra's keeper, Elzabeth Hull, dove in and scooped the ball right off her feet to deny the goal. Carolina sat back and erected stall tactics which bit them in the 89th minute when Dayton's Kay snatched the ball away and threaded it through two defenders, the ball just missing Brittany Charles, but the slight deflection brought it to Fillion's feet, who looped the ball past the Cobra goalkeeper for Dayton's only score. The game ended with Carolina Elite Cobras Advancing to the W-League Championship, the score 2-1.

As expected, Head Coach van Druenen was not happy with the result of the match. "It's a big disappointment, but if you look back at the seson, we did more than anybody expected. We all really, really wanted to go to the Final Four in Florida, but what we've done this season -- a team that won nothing last year -- this year was so different. People are talking about the team, people are talking about the players, people are talking about the assists...". Van Druenen took a moment to collect his thoughts.

In spite of the loss, Coach van Druenen had high praise for his team and hopes for the future. "It was a great group of people to work with. We'll let this sink in a little bit and look back at the season and see what we could have done differently. Our objective next year is clear "" we want that playoff spot."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 20, 2013


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