USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Battle Rochester to 1-1 Draw

May 2, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers battled the Rochester Rhinos to a 1-1 draw Friday night at City Stadium. A defensive battle left the two sides scoreless until a last-minute flurry saw Rhinos forward Alex Dixon tally an 89th minute goal before Kickers midfielder George Davis IV responded with the equalizer one minute later.

With just seconds remaining in regulation, Rhinos defender Lance Rozeboom intercepted the ball on the left wing and played it into the box, finding JC Banks at the near post. He fed the ball back to an awaiting Dixon at the top of the box and the Rhinos midfielder made no mistake with his low, determined strike just inside the left post.

The Kickers retaliated on the kickoff as Conor Shanosky served a long ball into the box. Matthew Delicate attempted to win the header but it dropped to Jason Yeisley at the penalty spot. Yeisley's bicycle kick was slightly deflected wide to Davis who buried the ball into the far right corner to draw the score level just before the final whistle.

Earlier in the evening, the Kickers nearly broke the ice in the 15th minute when Alex Lee drew a foul deep in Rochester territory. Midfielder Collin Martin whipped in the resulting free kick, connecting with William Yomby at the back post but the Cameroonian's header soared just over the crossbar.

Rochester turned the tables five minutes later when defender Pat McMahon fed a through ball to forward Minh Vu at the right touchline. He served a cross back through the box, searching for Donnie Smith but the Rhinos midfielder could not elude Lee as they battled for the header that sailed wide.

The Kickers forced Rochester goalkeeper Luis Soffner into action just before the halftime break when Martin collected the ball at the top of the box and slipped in behind the defense. He lined up a left-footed curling shot to the left corner but Soffner leapt to his right to parry the ball. Lurking at the back post, Davis collected the rebound and laid it off to Kyle Porter who fired a shot from 10 yards but Soffner denied the point-blank blast.

Later, Smith served a corner kick to the penalty spot and connected with an onrushing Tony Walls. His volley took a fortuitous bounce in front of Kickers goalkeeper Joe Willis but rattled the upright before bounding wide.

The Kickers answered back in the 79th minute when Porter played a long ball into the box, finding Davis at the right post but his diving header spun just wide.

When the Rhinos scored what seemed to be the game-winner 10 minutes later, Davis was not to be denied a second time when he blasted home the equalizer to salvage the hard-fought point.

The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium on Friday, May 9 to host Arizona United at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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