USL Rochester Rhinos

Last-Second Penalty Gives Louisville City FC 2-1 Win over Rhinos

Published on September 21, 2017 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


Last-Second Penalty Gives Louisville City FC 2-1 Win over Rhinos
Last-Second Penalty Gives Louisville City FC 2-1 Win over Rhinos
(Rochester Rhinos)

First-place Louisville takes all three points, will play in Rochester on September 30th.

Louisville City FC 2 Rochester Rhinos 1

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Louisville City FC 2 Rochester Rhinos 1

Luke Spencer scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 95th-minute as the Rhinos lost 2-1 to first-place Louisville City FC in a crucial match between two of the top four teams in the USL Eastern Conference. This loss ended Rochester's four-match unbeaten streak. The Rhinos (11-6-10, 43 pts) were called for a handball in the waning seconds of stoppage time off a free kick, allowing Spencer to step up and win the game.

Louisville started off the match on the front foot, dominating the first half and not allowing the Rhinos to get a shot off until the 42nd minute. They would get the opening goal in the 23rd minute when George Davis IV smashed home a low shot into the far corner for the 1-0 lead.

Rochester saw very few offensive chances come their way in the first half, but was able to draw level right before the halftime whistle. A minute after a Julian Bî1/4scher created the first opportunity of the match, Jochen Graf would net his 7th goal of the season. Bî1/4scher would send Graf in from the left side as he touched the ball ahead, muscled off his defender, and placed the ball into the far corner to get Rochester level at the break.

The Rhinos came out a much better side in the second half, not allowing as many chances and getting forward much more often. Tomas Gomez played strongly, punching many opportunities clear.

Bradley Kamdem Fewo nearly won the match in the 86th minute with an incredible effort, as he came sprinting from the back and hit a difficult volley nearly into the top corner with his left foot.

Louisville had their fair share of chances late on, with Oscar Jimenez nearly curling one into the top corner just before stoppage time.

A minute later, Rhinos captain Kenardo Forbes found himself in space and attempted a long-range effort with his left foot, but the chance went comfortably over the bar.

Stoppage time was winding down to a close, and Louisville City FC found themselves with one last chance just under 30 away from the left side of the goal. Jimenez took the free kick and struck the arm of Rhinos rookie forward Rayane Boukemia, who was standing in the wall. The referee pointed immediately to the spot, and Spencer would convert his chance to give top seed Louisville City FC all three points.

MATCH STATS

Rochester stays in fourth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings with 5 matches to play. They need a maximum of 6 points to guarantee themselves a place in the top 8, and clinch their 21st playoff berth in 22 years. They head off to Virginia to face the Richmond Kickers on Saturday at 7:00 PM. You can watch the match live on ROC Sports Network, WBGT channel 18 and digital 46.1.

The Rhinos will return home to Capelli Sport Stadium to face Louisville City once again next Saturday, September 30th at 6:05 PM as we celebrate Oktoberfest.

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Last-Second Penalty Gives Louisville City FC 2-1 Win over Rhinos
Last-Second Penalty Gives Louisville City FC 2-1 Win over Rhinos
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 21, 2017


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