Lions still in race for Conference Championship
Washington Dutch Lions FC (4-1-1) faced Old Dominion Cesena USA in their fifth game of the 2021 season. The game was the first of two derbies against the other DMV based team in the conference. After a difficult first half the Lions won 5-0.
The Lions came into the game with a chip on their shoulder after losing for the first time in club history. The team played with a high intensity from the first minute of play. After many close attempts, #20 Priya Nair, who has been one of the most dangerous strikers for the Lions, opened up the scoreline with a great touch over the keeper two minutes before halftime.
The second half is where the team truly shined. Six minutes into the half the Lions got a corner #19 Selena Kaup caught a rebound form the keeper with a beautiful volley that widened the margin to 2-0. The team then went on a run with #1 Maddy Oliver scoring two consecutive goals in the 53rd and 55th minute having a combined total of three goals in five minutes. This streak put the Lions up 4-0 and allowed them to calmly control the rest of the game. In the 91st minute in the last play of the game #24 Kayla Dixon delivered a through ball to #1 Maddy Oliver who did not hesitate to put it past the keeper. Becoming the first player to get a hat trick in club history! With this last goal the Lions got a significant 5-0 lead.
With two games left and four points from the top of the leaderboard, the team faces two opponents they know well from previous matchups (July 2nd vs Old Dominion Cesena USA and July 10th vs SJEB FC). If the team performs with the determination and skill that they are know for, the dream of placing first on the first year of club history can become a reality. On Friday July 2nd at 6pm, the Washington Dutch Lions FC will play their last home game of the inaugural season vs Old Dominion Cesena USA. It will be played at Marshall HS Field and starts at 6pm.
