DAYTON, Ohio – Two University of Dayton men’s soccer players, Randy Dennis and Jeff Popella, are among seven American players who have committed to sign with the Dayton Dutch Lions FC, a new professional local soccer team.
Flyer Head Coach Dennis Currier is excited about this experience for two of his former standouts.
“It’s great that there is an opportunity for Randy and Jeff in the area that will allow them to continue to play and get exposure at a higher level,” he said.
Popella, a Carroll High School graduate, was second in goals last season for the Flyers. He played in 61 games for UD, tallying 16 goals and five assists. He had six game-winning goals, including three in his senior season.
When asked about this opportunity, he said “I’m most excited about playing so close to home, and being able to see family and friends and have them come to the games. It’s a great opportunity for me, gaining experience by playing with these professionals.”
Dennis joins the Lions as a defender, having logged 72 games played and more than 6,000 minutes on the pitch for the Flyers. He finished his career with five assists.
The two were four-year letter winners at Dayton, amassing 45 wins during their career. Also during their career, they captured the 2008 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship, earned an NCAA berth, and won the 2009 A-10 Regular Season title.
Dennis and Popella become the second and third UD men’s soccer players to sign professional contracts this year. Fellow teammate Isaac Kissi was drafted by Club Deportivo Chivas USA in the third round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Kissi became the sixth Flyer to move on to Major League Soccer, the highest professional level of the sport in North America, and he was the fifth to be drafted.
The Dayton Dutch Lions will be joining the Premier Development League’s Great Lakes Division. Some exciting division games on the lineup this year will be against the Cincinnati Kings, Cleveland Internationals, last year’s division champions Kalamazoo Outrage(11-2-3 in 2009), and more.
In addition to the seven American players added to this team, there will be eight Dutch players on the roster—the maximum non-American players allowed by the league.
The Dayton Dutch Lions will play their first game on April 30th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EDT against the former world stars of Global United FC. This game will be played at Miami Valley South Stadium in Bellbrook, Ohio, the home site for the Dutch Lions.
For the regular season schedule, ticket prices, news and more, visit the Dutch Lions FC website at http://www.dutchlionsfc.com/
