The 2017 Cincinnati Dutch Lions concluded their season at 5-6-3 (W-L-D) on July 13. A season that did not end as anticipated from the staff and players saw many positives from previous seasons.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Sid van Druenen, CDLFC were able to set club records in goals allowed and shutouts. In the six team Central Great Lakes Division, CDLFC finish the campaign in 4th place.
At the beginning of the season, CDLFC could not get on a consistent streak as they traded wins and losses for the first five matches of the season.
Halfway through, the record stood at 3-4-0 and most of the remaining matches away from their home venue of Northern Kentucky University. In five of the first seven games, CDLFC was able to outshoot opponents but made some critical errors that ended up costly on the scoreboard.
In the second half of the season, CDLFC shored up the defensive side but was still unable to score goals when needed. In the last seven matches, the record was 2-2-3.
The club reeled off an impressive 410+ minute shutout streak through four-plus matches. Unfortunately, the shutout streak included three straight 0-0 draws and valuable points missed in the playoff hunt. While the team produced its shutout streak, CDLFC opponents held the Dutch Lions scoreless in the last four matches of the season.
Coach van Druenen had this to say about the season: “Looking back gives me mixed feelings as I am happy with the way a group of strangers came together and became a team, in such a short period of time. They put together some very strong performances and played a very attractive, possession based and attacking brand of soccer, but, I am disappointed with our final record as we created enough opportunities to secure a few more wins. Now it is time to evaluate and build on this season’s positive things and work on the things we want to improve.”
During the 14-game season, CDLFC scored 17 goals and allowed 16. The 16 goals against is a club record along with tallying six shutouts in the season. Coach van Druenen’s winning percentage (.464) is now club-best, ahead of Associate Head Coach Terry Nicholl (managed team previous three seasons, .452).
The Dutch Lions were led by captains Michael Millay and Jesse Dingjan.
Five players saw time in all 14 matches this season: Zeus de la Paz, Charlie Rolls, Jamie Leddy, Peguy Ngatcha, and Keyarash Namjoupanah – who led the team in minutes (1214 minutes played). Dingjan led the team in goals (4) and points (10 – 4 goals, 2 assists). Four players tied in team lead for assists (2): Boris Rasevic, Sam Sergi, Dingjan, and Rolls. Ngatcha went on to lead the team in shots (26) and yellow cards (4). Goalkeeper de la Paz allowed 12 goals on the season and collected 41 saves. He maintained a .774 save percentage and had a .91 goals allowed average.
While the PDL postseason continues, CDLFC hopes to collect additional player awards for the 2017 season. Four Dutch Lions were able to collect individual PDL weekly honors:
Ryan Melink — Honorable Mention (Week 5) & Honorable Mention (Week 7)
Jamie Leddy — Team of the Week (Week 9)
Austin Smythe — Honorable Mention (Week 9)
Zeus de la Paz — Team of the Week (Week 10)
Sam Sergi was able to earn a nomination for PDL June Goal of the Month for this game-winning stunner against K-W United:
Zeus de la Paz also earned a nomination, for PDL June Save of the Month for a save against the Michigan Bucks:
See more at the Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC website.
