Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.daytondutchlionsfc.com
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC are glad to announce the addition of five new players for the upcoming USL PRO season. Midfielders Nago Mbengue, Ryan Grothaus and Joey Madigan will be joined by forward Joe Broekhuizen, pictured right, and goalkeeper Wichert de Wit on the Dutch Lions roster. The quintet of new additions will look to have an immediate impact on the team’s success in 2013.
Broekhuizen is a product of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The center forward tallied 13 goals and eight assists for the Knights in 2012, leading the team to a league title. Broekhuizen was signed after attending an open tryout held by the Dutch Lions in March.
“Joe will contribute in several ways," said Dutch Lions head coach Patrick Bal. "He has the ability to hold the ball under pressure to allow the team to regain shape. He can serve as a target in combination and in front of the goal. He provides the ability to allow the team to change tactics, if necessary, in the last few minutes of a game.”
Mbengue played for three years at Bluefield College, earning all-conference honors each of his last two seasons. The midfielder notched 22 goals and 16 assists as a Bluefield Ram. Mbengue appeared in six matches for the Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors of USL PDL in 2012 and scored three goals.
After observing Mbengue in a tryout in November, Bal described him as a “creative midfielder who is great in one-on-one situations.”
Grothaus also came to the Dutch Lions’ attention during the November tryout. Grothaus, a native of Milford, Ohio, spent one season at Northern Kentucky University. One of the midfielder’s four goals for the Norse was a game winner in the conference championship game. Grothaus believes that the Dutch style of play suits him.
“I’m a firm believer in the best defense being a strong offense," he said. "Quick passing possession with interchanging runs is the style I’ve played my whole life.”
De Wit comes to the Dutch Lions after spending time with Voetbalvereniging Drachster Boys in the Netherlands’ Eerste Klasse League. He arrived with the Dutch Lions through a series of professional networks that the team maintains with clubs in the Netherlands.
Madigan was a standout midfielder for the 2011 NCAA Division II champion Fort Lewis College. He scored 22 points on seven goals and eight assists for the Skyhawks in 25 games that year, which was followed by an invitation to join FC Dallas’ 2012 preseason training camp. Madigan also appeared in seven games for the PDL’s Real Colorado Foxes in 2012, scoring two goals.
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC kick off their season at home against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Beavercreek High School Stadium. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the Dayton Dutch Lions FC, please visit www.daytondutchlionsfc.com.