Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions FC have added three more players to the 2012 USL PRO roster, with Kyle Knotek, Jeff DeGroot and Greg Preciado signing with the club after being scouted at the November 2011 tryout in Ohio.
Knotek attended Geneva High School, where he was dubbed "one of the top technically proficient players in the state," by the Chicago Tribune. As a senior co-captain he earned First Team all-area honors from both the Chicago Sun-Times and Aurora Beacon News. He was also a three-time First Team All-Suburban Prairie Conference choice, and was also an IHSSCA All-Sectional honoree during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
In college, Knotek was the second-most experienced player on the Northern Illinois roster, having started 48 of the 52 matches in which he played. As a junior, Knotek started 20 of 21 matches, including all three MAC Tournament games.
The Huskies held their opponents scoreless for 285 minutes of that tournament with Knotek anchoring the backline. During his sophomore season, Knotek played an integral role on a team that upended No.9 Northwestern and recorded a pair of assists. As a freshman for the Huskies’ 2006 MAC Championship team, Knotek played in 14 matches, and started in 11, including the MAC title game, and both NCAA Tournament matches.
DeGroot joins the Dutch Lions after spending the last three years coaching throughout the Chicago area. DeGroot has held various soccer positions within U.S. soccer organizations, including the Ela Soccer Club.
DeGroot played collegiately for DePaul University from 2004-2007, and joined Ela Elite U23 from 2005-2008 where he helped the side win a USASA National Championship. He joined the Hansa staff in 2010. Currently he is a coach at Schwaben A.C. and plays for the first team at the club.
Preciado had an outstanding playing career at both Walla Walla Community College and Evergreen College. An All-Conference player at both colleges, Preciado led the Geoducks to a National Final Four appearance in his senior year. He then went on to play professionally in Mexico where he spent a year playing and training. Greg has also been a member of the USL PDL's Indiana Invaders.
Dayton Dutch Lions FC are happy with signing these three talents, and are looking forward to working with the well experienced and dedicated pro players.