Match Preview: Harrisburg Vs. Dayton
Published on July 26, 2011 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The Harrisburg City Islanders will be traveling to Dayton, Ohio to face National Division rivals, the Dayton Dutch Lions, on Wednesday at 7:30pm. It will be the third meeting between the two teams this season. The City Islanders are coming off a 1-1 tie against the Los Angeles Blues, while the Dutch Lions are on a thirteen game winless streak.
Harrisburg City Islanders (8-5-6, 30 points)
The Harrisburg City Islanders are currently in second place of the National Division. They're three points behind first place (Rochester Rhinos). This will be the Islanders tenth away game of the season, recording a 2-4-3 record, scoring 8 goals and allowing eleven goals. Overall, the Harrisburg City Islanders have scored the second most goals in the USL PRO with 32. With a win on Wednesday the Islanders would clinch a playoff spot.
In the month of July, the City Islanders have been playing well, proving themselves to be a contending team for the USL PRO championship, going 2-1-3 and outscoring opponents 14-8.
This past Saturday, the Harrisburg City Islanders tied the Los Angeles Blues in a captivating and physical 1-1 draw in front of 1,393 fans at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. Midfielder Jason Pelletier scored his first goal of the season in the 19th minute but it wasn't enough for the win as Blues midfielder Cesar Rivera scored his seventh goal of the season in the 43rd minute to earn Los Angeles a tie.
"We were disappointed that we didn't come away with a win against LA," said Harrisburg City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher.
Harrisburg Players to Watch: Chase Harrison
The former Virginia Tech Huskies standout is 6-3-5 this season, saving 42 shots. In his last two games, Harrison has allowed only two goals.
Jason Hotchkin
Hotchkin has been a key component of Harrisburg's midfield this season, scoring two goals and two assists. Both goals from the former Milligan Buffalo were game winners versus the Richmond Kickers and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Dayton Dutch Lions (1-12-6, 9 points)
The Dayton Dutch Lions are currently in sixth and last place of the National Division. They're twenty one points behind second place (Harrisburg City Islanders). This will be Dayton's ninth home game of the season, recording a 1-4-3 record, scoring USL PRO least goals (9) and allowing league second high seventeen goals. Overall, the Dutch Lions have scored the least amount of goals in the league (16) and have allowed the most goals (41) this season. Since tying the City Islanders 2-2 back on June 10th at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, the Dutch Lions have gone 0-2-2 and have been outscored 10-5.
This past Saturday, the Dayton Dutch Lions tied the Charleston Battery 2-2 at Miami Valley South Stadium. Nicki Paterson scored both goals for the Battery as Happy Hall and George Davis scored for the Dutch Lions, respectively.
"Dayton is playing very well of late, earning ties against Orlando, Charleston, LA, and us," commented Becher. "They have proven recently that they are a tough team to get three points from."
Dayton Players to Watch:
George Davis
The former Kentucky Wildcat leads the expansion Dutch Lions in points (14), goals (6), assists (2) and shots (25). Last year, in his rookie season and Dayton's debut season in the USL, the Lima, Ohio native recorded five goals and seven assists.
Eric Kissinger
The rookie out of Cinnaminson, New Jersey is second in points (5), goals (2), and assists (1) for the Dutch Lions this season. Last game, Kissinger assisted on Davis' sixth goal of the season.
The City Islanders' next home game is scheduled for 7:00pm this Saturday, July, 30th at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island against the Wilmington Hammerheads. There will be a Soccer Shots Global Goals clinic at 10 a.m. Also, there will be a silent auction to benefit Global Goals. Preschool night starts at 5:30 p.m., includes spinning art, wheel games, soccer tattoos, face painting, Jumping Jungle and more. All clinic participants will enjoy a halftime contest. For more information on the City Islanders, or to order tickets, contact the team at 717-441-GOAL, or visit www.cityislanders.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 26, 2011
- Harrisburg's Welker Named USL PRO Player of the Week - USL
- Match Preview: Harrisburg Vs. Dayton - Penn FC
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