Saturday, April 20, 2013
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions began the 2013 season on a high note at Beavercreek Stadium with a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night as a stoppage-time goal by Remco Klaasse gave the Dutch Lions victory despite having to play down a man for more than an hour.
The Dutch Lions were reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute as Eli Garner was shown a red card for punching a Riverhounds’ defender. Despite that, Dayton would take the lead a minute before halftime as Gibson Bardsley navigated through three Riverhounds defenders to record the first Dutch Lions goal of the season. The lead would not last long, however, as Jose Angulo tied the game in first-half stoppage time after a good angled cross from the left by Alfonso Motagalvan was put away with a diving header.
Neither side was able to gain the upper hand at the beginning of the second half with several runs on both teams’ goals. In the 57th minute, Dutch Lions’ goalkeeper Matt Williams punched out a Riverhounds’ attempt, and Pittsburgh used their man-advantage well, controlling more possesion as they tried to find a go-ahead goal.
Williams again had to be sharp as the second half entered stoppage time, making a good save to keep the game level. The save would prove crucial in the third minute of stoppage time as a corner by Eric Kissinger corner kick was knocked down by Joe Broekhuizen to Klaasse, who finished strongly from close range to give his side a 2-1 win in its opening game of the season.
“I think we started really well in the first half -- I actually lost my voice because of the enthusiasm," said Dutch Lions coach Patrick Bal. "We had a couple of chances to get up early in the game, but after the red card, it changes the game. The second half we didn’t play as well, only at moments, but they worked so hard. After three weeks of preseason, we had more chances and converted better for the win. I am absolutely, extremely happy.”
Dayton hits the road early for the next two games, beginning with the VSI Tampa Bay on Friday night, immediately followed by a match up with Orlando City on Saturday night. The Dutch Lions return home for a matchup against the Charleston Battery on Friday May 3rd at Beavercreek Stadium. Game time is at 7 p.m. For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.