Sunday, June 16, 2013
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions took a 2-1 victory against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Sunday night at Beavercreek Stadium as goals by Remco Klaasse and Tjeerd Westdijk moved the Dutch Lions into seventh place in the USL PRO standings. Dayton jumped past the Charlotte Eagles, as it took its fifth victory of the USL PRO season and extended its undefeated streak in league play to six games.
Klaasse pounced on an early and untimely VSI Tampa Bay FC (7-5-1) mistake when a misplaced goalkick dropped to his feet 10 minutes into the match. Without hesitation, his sliding shot started the Dutch Lions (5-2-3) on their road to victory.
Twenty minutes later, Westdijk took his turn on VSI Tampa’s second defensive breakdown and nailed another goal to put Dayton up 2-0. The opportunity came about when Tampa Bay goalkeeper Alex Horwath was challenged for possession in the penalty area, and the ball came loose to Westdijk to finish in the left side of the penalty area. Tampa’s determination was evident with increased intensity and stronger possession following the second goal. VSI hit back quickly as Sal Bundu nailed a header into Dayton’s goal from Shawn Chin’s corner to make the score 2-1. Dayton was able to maintain the lead as the teams left the field for the end of the first half.
Tampa Bay came out strongly in the second half, with several opportunities that the Dayton defense had to work to deny. But work is what Dayton’s Shintaro Harada and Gregory Preciado did, while managing to hold onto control in spite of constant pressure by Tampa’s Bundu and J.T. Noone. Dayton stayed organized and alert, with their heads up, keeping their possession-oriented style of play alive. Coach Patrick Bal was complimentary of VSI, citing their strength at midfield and their style, similar to the Dutch Lions.
“Today, they were better than us, making it harder, especially in the second half,” Bal said, “Normally it makes it easier for us, because if they want to play soccer in that style, then we get space to move the ball around. Today we couldn’t keep the ball, especially the second half. Especially after our first goal, it looked like we were sitting back. The second half was completely theirs.”
Tampa’s pressure on the Dayton defense had a streak of luck later in the second half when Tampa’s Sean Reynolds almost jammed a cross from Noone into Dayton’s goal but the ball skidded just outside the right post. Tampa’s Chin took a shot in the 85th minute which Matt Williams punched out, once again saving Dayton from a Tampa equalizer. Good field spacing by both teams provided little opportunity for advancement, in spite of the fresh legs that substitutions by Bal brought on late in the second half.
“All the guys who came in did exactly what was expected of them, and that says something about the team,” Bal said.
The Dutch Lions head west for two games next weekend, starting with the Phoenix FC Wolves (2-9-4) on Friday night, and then traveling to Los Angeles to face the LA Blues (5-5-5) next Sunday.
Dayton returns home for a doubleheader, beginning with the club's W-League team (3-1-1) against the Atlanta Silverbacks (3-2-1) at 5:30, followed by the men’s Dutch Lions matchup with the Charlotte Eagles (3-2-5). For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.