Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com
Tuesday June 5, 2012
ROCHESTER, Mich. – A penalty kick by Joel DeLass in overtime led the Dayton Dutch Lions FC to a 2-1 win against the PDL's Michigan Bucks on Tuesday night at Oakland University to advance to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time in the club's history.
The Dutch Lions will meet Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City, who defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in Tuesday's fourth round, at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Tuesday June 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
“It’s not soccer anymore. It’s a war,” said Dutch Lions coach Ivar Van Dinteren. “We have to win it and the team that wants it the most will win the game. I’m very happy we’re with the last eight in America.”
A goal in the 12th minute by Eli Garner, assisted by Gibson Bardsley, put the Lions up 1-0 over the Bucks as the rookie was able to lift his finish past the advancing goalkeeper. The Dutch Lions carried the lead to the break, but in the 55th minute Michigan forward Anthony Grant tied the game after a defender lost the ball at the top of the box.
Thanks to a crucial late save by Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams, the score remained tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, sending the game to two 15-minute overtime periods. In the 97th minute, a foul on Gerrit-Jan Bartels resulted in a penalty kick, which DeLass fired into the left corner of the net. The Dutch Lions would then hold off the Bucks' last-gasp efforts for an equalizer, and move on.
“This is not only good for our team, it’s good for our entire organization,” said Dutch Lions Business Manager Koen Driessen. “It is rewarding after expending so much effort, and helps put Dayton on the map.”
Dayton will next return to USL PRO action on Saturday night as part of the doubleheader at Careflight Field. The Dutch Lions' W-League side will face the Virginia Beach Piranhas at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the men following at 8 p.m. as they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.