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Dutch Lions Tie Final Home Game

August 11, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Dayton Dutch Lions News Release


DAYTON, Ohio - The Charlotte Eagles were able to bounce back from 2-0 deficit to tie the Dayton Dutch Lions 2-2 Saturday August 11 at Miami Valley South Stadium in the last home game of the Lion's season in front of a record crowd of 1,024 people.

Charlotte Eagles (10-10-2), coming off a 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last night, started strong with a wide shot by Cheyne Roberts. The Lions (4-11-7) struck back in the 13th minute when Eli Garner's shot went off the top bar and Kissinger's rebound went high.

Dutch Lions' goalie Matt Williams kept the match scoreless when a cross by Roberts found Mauicio Salles De Allencar but William's was able to get his gloves on the ball and Greg Preciado cleared it.

Eli Garner made a break for goal in the 34th minute, but keeper Clinton Irwin was able to push the ball to the side and collect it before a Lion could follow up. Two minutes later, the Eagles fouled the Lions 40 yards from goal. The kick by Taylor Lord found Garner's right foot as he volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the game.

The Lions started the second half strong with Gibson Bardsley coming off the bench to score in the 47th minute with a run to the line and after a deflection off Irwin, a second shot went under the goalie's leg. Less than 10 minutes late, Bardsley had a hard shot right up the middle, but Irwin was able to catch the ball and Joel DeLass followed suit two minutes later.

Forward Chris Salvaggione almost put the Eagle's on the board in the 68th minute with a header just skimming over the top bar. In a counter, Bardsley won the ball near the half and took it to the end line to cross it to the middle, but DeLass was not able to touch the ball.

In the 85th minute, Salvaggione did was his previous shot was not able. On a breakaway, his shot went to the far post went under William's outstretched arms. As the end of the game approached, Charlotte pushed everyone forward and in stoppage time, the move paid off. With many bodies packed in the box, William's was able to get a hand on the ball but the defense was unable to clear and the ball fell to Josh Ride on the left side of the box as he had an open shot at goal.

Although solid in first half of the game, Dutch Lions' Coach Ivar van Dinteren expressed disappointment with the team's resulting tie. "When you are up by two and have many chances to make 3, 4, and you don't finish, then performance is not good," he said. "You know the old saying, "˜If you don't score yourself, the other team will. ' "

Coach van Dinteren was happy with the record-breaking crowd. "Attendance was amazing," he marveled. That's what we want, of course. I have to thank all the fans for their continued support - it gives us wings, it's what we need."

He continued with nothing but praise for Joel DeLass, the team's Captain who played every minute of every game. "Joel DeLass' professionalism is incredible, and even with injury, he is always playing, always working." He attributes this to DeLass' commitment to the game. "When you work as hard as he does, when you eat and drink what you're supposed to, then your chance of staying fit and overcoming injuries is much greater. He is remarkable, a true professional."

Dayton will hit the road for back-to-back games to finish the season, meeting Orlando City (17-1-5) August 17 at 7:30 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, and the Charleston Battery (12-10-1) the next night at 7:30 at Blackbaud Stadium.

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