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USL-1 Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Clinch Playoff Berth

September 9, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Rhinos (11-8-8, 40 pts) defeated the Portland Timbers, 2-0, at PAETEC Park on Saturday night. The win, coupled with a tie by the Minnesota Thunder at Vancouver on Sunday secures a playoff spot for the Rochester in the 2008 USL First Division playoffs. Rochester has never missed the postseason in since their inception in 1996 making 2008's berth the 13th consecutive season that Rochester has qualified for the USL's "second season".

The 2008 USL First Division playoffs will begin the week of September 23-28 with the top seven teams qualifying for the postseason tournament. The Commissioner's Cup winner (regular season champion) will receive a first round bye while teams seeded #2 - #7 will compete in a two-leg aggregate score series with the three winners advancing to the semifinals. The USL First Division Championship is slated for Saturday, October 11.

Rochester will close out the home portion of their regular season schedule this Friday, September 12 against the table leading Puerto Rico Islanders. Rochester has fallen to the Islanders in their two previous match-ups this season. The Islanders

(14-6-7, 49 pts) can move closer to clinching the top seed in the First Division table with a win on Friday. The Islanders are trying to become the first team since the 1998 Rochester Rhinos to lead the league in goals scored and goals allowed in the same season. They are currently leading in both categories with 40 and 22 respectively. Former Rhino Johnny Steele and Fabrice Noel are tied for the team lead in scoring with 14 points. Netminder Bill Gaudette leads all USL-1 backstops with 13 wins and is fourth with nine shutouts, one fewer than the Rhinos Scott Vallow.

Fans will have an opportunity to see the league's top two helpers as Rochester's Luke Kreamalmeyer enters the match trailing Steele for the league lead in assists by two. Kreamalmeyer's eight assists are one shy of the franchise mark set by Martin Nash in 2001. Rochester's 2008 Most Valuable Player Johnny Menyongar ranks eighth in scoring with 17 points, one more than Kreamalmeyer. Goalkeeper Scott Vallow has recorded clean sheets in his last three starts and ranks third with a 1.03 goals against average.

Friday's match against Puerto Rico will kick-off at 8:00 p.m. and be televised live on the Fox Soccer Channel (Time Warner Cable Channel 212). Friday is also Fan Appreciation Night and will feature live music by the Night Owls, while the first 1,500 fans will receive a Doug Miller puzzle, courtesy of Foodlink. Fans can also register to win one of three Kodak 10 megapixel digital cameras at the Patio Enclosures Guest Services Booth.

Rochester will travel after the Puerto Rico match to face the Carolina RailHawks

(7-11-9, 30 pts.) at WakeMed Park in Cary, North Carolina. The RailHawks reside in tenth place in the eleven team First Division and are led by former Rhino Hamed Diallo with four goals and 11 points.

RHINOS SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 9 - 14

 

Tue. Sept. 9  10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - training at PAETEC Park

 

Wed. Sept. 10 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Swimming @ Webster Aquatic Center

 

Thur. Sept. 11 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - training at PAETEC Park

Fri. Sept. 12   8:00 p.m. - match vs. Puerto Rico Islanders

radio: Country 107.3 FM; streaming online: www.mycountryfm.com; video streaming: www.usllive.com; TV: Fox Soccer Channel (TWC 212).

 

Sat. Sept. 13 travel to Carolina

 

Sun. Sept. 14 6:00 p.m. - match at Carolina at WakeMed Park 

radio: Country 107.3 FM; streaming online: www.mycountryfm.com; video streaming: www.usllive.com; TV: Fox Soccer Channel (TWC 212).

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