USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Earn First Point of 2014 in Dayton

Published on April 12, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


The Rochester Rhinos secured their first point of the 2014 season with a draw in Dayton against the Dutch Lions at Beavercreek Stadium on Friday night. After losing both matches 3:1 against the Dutch Lions last season, the result was a positive step for Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley and his young club in their quest to return to the playoffs in 2014. Samuel Petrone scored his first goal of the season for Rochester, while Joseph Broekhuizen scored the equalizer for the Dutch Lions late in the second half.

The match got off to a tepid start. The significant challenge for visiting sides in Beavercreek Stadium is the dimensions of the field which appear to be barely 60 yards wide. The tight space made it difficult for the Rhinos to keep possession. Dayton used their intricate Dutch passing style to keep possession of the ball, but rarely trouble the Rhinos goal in the early going. In fact, the first shot of the match was not registered until the 17th minute.

Eli Garner was very active down the left flank for the Dutch Lions in the opening 15 minutes, and he played a ball into target forward Aaron Schoenfeld in the 17th minute. Schoenfled laid the ball off to Joel DeLass, and DeLass had a strike at goal from 40 yards that was easily held by Rochester goalkeeper Luis Soffner.

The match began to heat up in the 27th minute. Schoenfeld pressed Rochester Rhinos right back Babacar Diallo in the visitors defensive third, and forced Diallo to play the ball over the touch line for a throw-in. DeLass took a long throw-in and launched it all the way to the near post where to found Schoenfeld. The big target forward skipped the ball on and beat Soffner, but Rhinos captain Tyler Rosenlund stuck with the play and cleared the ball off of the goal line for a corner kick. The ensuing corner kick yielded the first goal of the match.

The Rhinos opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Rochester broke out of their own penalty area after the corner kick. The visitors caught the Dutch Lions back line flat, and one through ball from the Rhinos was able to beat five Dayton defenders. Rhinos first year attacking midfielder Samuel Petrone was in front of goal to slot home a finish off of a cross from left back Onua Thomas Obasi and give Rochester their first lead of the 2014 season.

The Dayton Dutch Lions responded immediately and almost found the equalizer. In the 30th minute the home side headed the ball on goal in a crowded Rochester penalty area, but Soffner was there to work back to his own goal line and tip the looped header over his cross bar.

A couple of chance in the last three minutes closed out the first half. In the 43rd minute Garner laid a ball back to Cameron Vickers for a shot from 30 yards out after the Rhinos turned the ball over in their own defensive third. Soffner easily held Vickers shot, and launched a counter attack with his distribution. At the other end of the pitch Petrone played attacking midfielder JC Banks through into the left corner. Banks ran onto the ball and crossed it in front of the Dutch Lions goal. Rhinos attacking midfielder Alex Dixon was there to touch the ball on goal, but Dutch Lions goalkeeper Matt Williams dove to his left to keep the Rhinos effort out. One minute later Garner was in possession on the left flank in the Rhinos defensive third once again. Garner laid the ball back to Vickers, and he played a cross that just missed Schoenfeld's head on the far post.

At the half the match became official and Rosenlund became the 16th player in club history to appear in 100 matches. The fifth year midfielder has twice led the team in minutes played in 2011 and 2013, and has played in every minute for the Rhinos this season. The 2011 Rhinos MVP is on pace to join the club's all-time top ten list in matches played, matches started, and minutes played this season. Last Saturday night in Orlando Rosenlund became the 15th player in club history to play five years in Rochester.

In the second half, Rochester came out of the gate hot, ready to defend their lead with a strong physical presence. Petrone came close to adding a second in the 46th minute, only for Willams to dive hard to make the save. Dayton had a good chance to tie the game just past the hour-mark as Eli Garner broke in on the left side of the penalty area, but on loan New England Revolution goalkeeper Luis Soffner tipped his effort over the crossbar to keep the Rhinos up.

As the second half wore on both teams looked to press each other defensively, and the result was a second half lacking many clear cut chances. However, the increased intensity resulted in several altercations throughout the second half.

Last season in this fixture the Dayton Dutch Lions clattered then Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht sparking an ugly incident and leaving the German writhing in pain on the Beavercreek Stadium turf. The 58th minute yielded a similar incident as Dayton played a long ball into the box for Garner. Soffner was easily off of his line to cut out the ball, but Garner clattered into him knocking Soffner to the turf.

Six minutes later Garner was one-on-one with Rochester Rhinos center back Kyle Hoffer on the left flank. Hoffer won the battle and shielded the ball out over the endline for a goal kick. Garner shoved Hoffer in the chest, but the Rhinos center back stood his ground and shoved Garner back. Referee Branton Artis stepped in between the two players before the situation could escalate, and talked to both players.

Things heated up once again when both teams came together in the 90th minute after the referee called a foul on the Rhinos thirty yards out from the Dutch Lions goal. The repeated incidents led to Artis adding five minutes of stoppage time to the match - which would ultimately be one to many for the visitors.

The Rhinos continued to press throughout stoppage time and were nearly awarded a goal in the 90th +3 minute. JC Banks forced a turnover in the Dayton deffensive third and was in clean on the Dutch Lions goal. Williams once again saved his team with a diving stop on Banks shot, and center back Kevan George was able to clear the rebound to safety.

In the 90th+4 minute the Dayton Dutch Lions played a long ball from the midfield stripe into the Rochester penalty area. Dutch Lions substitute striker Joseph Broekhuizen was able to beat Rhinos goalkeeper Luis Soffner to the ball, and Schoenfeld headed it into the net from six yards out for the equalizer. The Rhinos protested that Broekhuizen had interfered with Soffner on the goal, however Artis confirmed his call after consulting with his assistant referee Devon Duling.

At the final whistle the Rhinos surrounded Artis to renew their protest, but to no avail as the points had already been split.

The Rochester Rhinos have one more match on the road against the Chicago Fire Reserves on Monday, April 21st at noon in Toyota Park before returning to Rochester for their home opener. The Rhinos open their 19th season in the Flower City on Sunday, April 27th at 4PM against the Charleston Battery.

Tickets for the home opener as well as any other match on the Rhinos home schedule will be available by by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are also currently available.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 12, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central