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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Advance to Third Round of U.S. Open Cup

May 20, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos advanced to the Third Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 20th 2015 with a 1:0 victory over Greater Binghamton FC Thunder in Sahlen's Stadium. The Rhinos took 16 shots to one for visiting Binghamton, but Kenardo Forbes first half goal was the only difference in the match. GBFC Thunder goalkeeper Jason Stenta, the National Premier Soccer League side's First Round hero, made seven saves to keep the visitors in the match until the final whistle.

After playing to a 1:1 draw in Wilmington last Saturday night, and in advance of this Saturday's match in Toronto, Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley made six changes to his typical starting 11 for the midweek Second Round match. University of Michigan product Adam Grinwis started in goal, Sean Totsch started at right back, Drew Ruggles started on the left flank and rookie Marcos Ugarte started opposite him on the right flank, while Christian Silva paired with captain Tony Walls in central midfield. Steevan Humberto Fortes dos Santos started up top with Kenardo Forbes. Dos Santos entered the match on a two game scoring streak, and Forbes assisted each of his goals in the last two matches.

Rochester scored the only goal of the match in the 39th minute. Ugarte received the ball on the left flank 25 yards out from Greater Binghamton's goal and held up play. Ugarte played a ball into the run of dos Santos in the penalty box. Dos Santos received the ball with his right foot before driving the ball across the top of the six yard box with his left foot. Ruggles was unable to connect with dos Santos service, and Stenta failed to claim the cross for the Thunder, before Forbes was their to put a shot on target. Center back Paul Thompson was on Greater Binghamton's goal line to attempt a clearance, but he was unable to keep the ball out for the visitors. The goal was Forbes first of the season, and his third consecutive match with a point in all competitions.

The Rhinos took a 1:0 lead into half time.

Lilley sent his team out to start the second half with a renewed determination, and the Rhinos responded in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Forbes took a snap shot from the top of the box in the 46th minute that Binghamton's Stenta was able to smother and save. Four minutes later dos Santos drove into the penalty area before dropping the ball back to Forbes on the penalty spot. Forbes took a shot, but Thunder center back Domenico Vitale was able to recover and extinguish the opportunity. In the same minute Forbes was played in on goal, but Stenta was able to dive to his left to deny the Jamaican's break away opportunity. Rochester had a goal disallowed in the 52nd minute when head referee David Mon ruled that the ball struck dos Santos arm after he attempted a diving header that crossed the goal line. In the 56th minute Rochester had their second breakaway of the second half. This time it was Forbes who played dos Santos through, but Stenta was quickly off his line to cut down the angle. Dos Santos tried to dribble around Stenta, but the Binghamton goalkeeper dove at the forward's feet to try to snuff out the chance. Stenta failed to claim the ball and made contact with dos Santos, but Mon got a look at the play and ruled there was no penalty.

Ten minutes later dos Santos had another chance to secure Rochester's advancement into the Third Round. This time it came off of a set piece. Silva took the corner kick in front of the Oak Street Brigade supporters club in section 101, and his service found the head of dos Santos. The forward put his header on target, but failed to beat Stenta.

Greater Binghamton FC had an opportunity to send the match into added extra time in stoppage time. The visitors played a long ball into the top right corner of the Rhinos penalty area. Rochester's center backs Vassilis Apostolopoulos and Julian Ringhof converged on the ball with Grinwis for the home side, and Slavisa Ubiparipovic was there for the visitors. The ball was cleared by the home side but only as far as right back Chris Riley 35 yards out from the Rhinos goal. The defender struck a looping shot on the empty Rochester goal. However, the trajectory of the shot gave Grinwis enough time to recover and catch it comfortably near his goal line.

Rochester will travel to Harrisburg to play the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Third Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. open Cup on Wednesday, May 27 th 2015 at 7PM.

The first place Rhinos next USL match in Sahlen's Stadium will be Saturday, May 30th 2015 with a 7:05PM kickoff against arch rival FC Montreal. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages, group sales tickets, and individual match tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.

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