4/25/2010: Local Player Alex VanderSluijs's Interesting Path To The Dutch Lions

Alex VanderSluijs try out wasn't exactly planned.

From Dayton Daily News's Writer Kyle Nagel:
Alex Van der Sluijs, a 25-year-old former Carroll High School and Wilmington College standout, assumed his playing career was all but over. But his brother had an idea.

Derek van der Sluijs, 15 months older, had been hired as business manager of the Dayton Dutch Lions, a first-year team in the Premier Development League division of the United Soccer Leagues. The Dutch Lions were still looking for players, and Derek nudged Alex toward the tryout happening the same day in Bellbrook.

“Well, I had come (with) cleats in the car,” Alex said. “I’ve tried to stay fit and still love to play, so I hopped in the game.”

Alex, signed to a contract soon after, is an example of local players benefiting from the professional soccer opportunity.

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