Saints top Dutch Lions

May 10th, 2015

Saints top Dayton Dutch Lions 2-1

Charlie Hatch

Cincinnati Saints 2, Dayton Dutch Lions 1.

In their final preseason home fixture, the Cincinnati Saints beat the Dayton Dutch Lions 2-1 Saturday night at Angus King Stadium. It was the first time the Saints have defeated the Dutch Lions in club history.

Despite controlling play for the majority of the match, the Dutch Lions snatched the lead in the 36th minute on a shot slotted into the lower right corner.

The Saints equalized in the 42nd minute when forward Andre Sharpe played a through ball to midfielder Marc Hansson, who chipped it over the Dayton keeper.

Hansson, who was the club’s leading goal scorer in 2014, started the match as right midfielder, as opposed to his forward role last season.

“Marc’s got great quality,” coach Dave Wall said. “He’s a good talent, so we can shift him around and utilize him in different areas.”

Playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the goal scorer played in a wider area and crept toward the middle of the field inside the attacking third.

“It’s a little but different but it allows me to run more,” Hansson said. “I get to use my pace a bit more.”

Cincinnati took the lead in the 50th minute when substitute center-back Phil Haggerty’s shot from just outside the box snuck into the left corner.

Heading into the match, coach Dave Wall stressed the importance of winning matches at home. And while Saturday night’s fixture was a friendly, Wall said it was a nice foundation to build upon.

“Off to a good start,” Wall said. “Obviously we’re pleased with the result. The lads put a good performance in today. It’s never going to be easy.”

Cincinnati’s 2015 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) campaign begins May 16, when the Saints travel north to FC Buffalo.

The Saints’ home opener is May 23 against the Indiana Lions.

Starting lineup for Cincinnati:

Corey Wisenhunt, Gary Henderson, James Thomas, Drew Midkiff, Kwame Sarkodie, Ryan Handbury, Scott Shugh, Marc Hansson, Andre Sharpe. Fernando Zuniga, Luke Maitland