The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

LaCrone helping Dutch Lions on and off the field

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Reds' six-game winning streak broken
5/26/12
Annual Warrior Soccer Classic kicks off today
5/26/12
Dragons' rally falls short against Lansing
5/26/12
WSU baseball ousted from tournament
5/26/12
> More sports headlines

By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer 9:22 PM Thursday, May 19, 2011

BELLBROOK — Kolby LaCrone has spent almost all of his life in soccer. The Zanesville native took up the sport when he was 3, and two decades later he’s taken another positive step in his pro career, this time right by his own backyard.

“For me, it’s been one of the best opportunities of my life,” the Dayton Dutch Lions FC striker said of performing just a couple hours from family and friends. “It was a no brainer. I’m thrilled.”

LaCrone, a tall, talented forward, made his mark early with the Lions, scoring their first goal in the season opener last month. At 24, he’s actually one of the older players on the team and his experience in the United Soccer Leagues’ old first and second divisions should be useful as the young Lions try to climb the Pro division ladder.

“I learned my rookie season (with the defunct Cleveland City Stars) that success in this league is based on experience,” said LaCrone, a star at Tri-Valley High in Dresden before his college days at both Western Virginia University and Marshall. “We’ve had some growing pains but it hasn’t devastated morale. As time goes by, we’re getting better. And we’re all getting to be better friends.”

When LaCrone came to his DDL tryout in February, he was just completing an indoor soccer stint with the Professional Arena Soccer League’s Louisville Lightning. The fast, physical game kept LaCrone’s skills sharp and he likened the indoor game to hockey, which, along with basketball, he also played growing up.

“They (indoor and outdoor soccer) are almost two totally different sports using the same skill sets,” said LaCrone. “You better be ready to bang and fight.”

The striker is still adjusting to DDL’s formation, which typically puts him alone up front as the ball works inside from the wings. LaCrone is practicing on doing more with the ball and combining to set up teammates, much like his favorite player, Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

When he’s not improving his own game, LaCrone is trying to help others. Kolby’s Kickers Foundation is a non-profit organization he started to provide free soccer clinics to developmentally disabled and disadvantaged children. LaCrone is also involved with Camp Echoing Hills, a summer program for kids with disabilities. He has found the back of the net many times since he began playing soccer but LaCrone’s best memories of the game have come from his experiences with children.

“I realized how easy it was to contribute,” said LaCrone. “I’m able to introduce soccer to kids who probably wouldn’t be exposed to it.

“It’s definitely the most rewarding thing I have ever done.”

Visit www.kolbyskickersfoundation.org/ for information.

KICKS FOR KIDS: Four ambassadors from Dayton Children’s Hospital will be at tonight’s match with the L.A. Blues, which is billed as Kicks for Kids — Evenflo and Dayton Children’s Night. Casey Mowen, a young soccer player who had a large tumor removed from his brain, will be among those in attendance. With help from Dayton Children’s, Casey is now in remission from the stage IV cancer and back on the pitch playing.

Donations for the Children’s Miracle Fund will be collected and put towards technology and state-of-the-art medical equipment. Fans are also asked to bring a book, DVD or toys to the match.

GIRL POWER: The Dayton Dutch Lions FC women’s side opened their USL W-League season last weekend. Despite a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Silverbacks, coach Mark Batman was optimistic about the performance of his newly formed team.

“We had some fantastic moments and we had a great rhythm for most of the match,” Batman, who also coaches the Ohio Northern University women, told daytondutchlionsfc.com. “Unfortunately, we got exposed early in the first half but once our players settled in, the first half had some really promising things for us.”

The DDL women make their home debut Saturday, May 28 as part of a doubleheader at Fifth Third Field.

STAT PACK: LaCrone, George Davis IV and former Northmont High/Cedarville University player Kyle Segebart are the only Lions to score this season. ... Midfielder Marvin van der Pluijm leads the team in minutes played with 348, and is also tops in fouls committed (six). ... Davis IV has created the most scoring chances with 11 shots this season, six more than van der Pluijm, who ranks second.