Tickets:
Youth - $5
Adult - $8
Orange Family Four package (admission and meal for 2 adults + 2 youth) - $20
Home schedule:
May 21 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Cincinnati DL
May 27 - 7:30 p.m. vs. K-W United FC
June 3 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Michigan Bucks
June 22 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Pittsburg U23
June 25 - 7:30 p.m. vs. TFC Academy
July 6 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Derby City
July 9 - 7:30 p.m. vs. Kokomo Mantis
It's that time of year again - Dayton Dutch Lion time. Here's 5 things you need to know before they open their season on Saturday.
Settled in: The Dayton Dutch Lions FC and their diehard fan base – dubbed the Orange Family – will open their third season at the Dayton Outpatient Center (DOC) Stadium at the West Carrollton High School Dayton Dutch Lions FC Soccer Complex on Saturday. The Dutch Lions – who have also called Bellbrook and Beavercreek high schools home –have been a Miami Valley mainstay since 2009, the women's team since 2011.
International ties: As the name suggests, the team has strong Dutch connections – past and present – including five current Dutch players and head coach Sid van Druenen. But the team also includes international players from Brazil, Wales, Scotland, England, Portugal and Nigeria as well as a core of talented young American players.
College connection: The 2016 team – with players ranging in age from 19-27 – has several local collegiate players on the roster this season. Forwards Tommy Harr and Kennedy Nwabia and defender Michael Brezovsky of the University of Dayton will suit up alongside Wright State goalkeeper Will Lukowski and Raiders midfielders Sam DeRoy and Eric Lynch. Cedarville players Paul Pinto, Bradley Schluter, Paul Messerly, John Schwien and Connor Guilmor as well as Urbana's Nathan Jones and Lewis Dunne will join them.
More than a single team: The Dayton Dutch Lions men's team – which currently plays in the USL Premier Development League – is only one part of the expansive Dutch Lions program. The Dutch Lions women's team also opens their season this weekend. The Lady Lions compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League, a competitive league with more than 100 teams nationwide. And the Dayton Dutch Lions Youth Academy is 200-players strong. The organization also hosts a variety of camps, clinics and school visits to encourage youth participation and boost skill development.
Game time: The Dayton Dutch Lions open their season at home Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Cincinnati Dutch Lions. The Lady Lions' home opener is Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Fire & Ice Soccer Club. Individual game tickets are $5 for children (12 and under) and $8 for adults. Visit their website for more information.
Need more soccer in your life? 5 things to know about the Dayton Dynamo.
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