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USL Rochester Rhinos

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July 31, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


The Rochester Rhinos are hosting the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday, August 2nd at 7:35PM in Sahlen's Stadium.

The Rochester Rhinos will enter Friday night on a five match unbeaten streak dating back to Saturday, July 6th. The unbeaten streak can be largely attributed to a team defensive effort. Rochester has only given up three goals over the last five matches, and the Rhinos have only conceded one goal in their last four matches. Rochester goalkeeper Kristian Nicht has kept three clean sheets during the unbeaten streak. However, he has only been required to make nine saves on 16 shots during his three shutouts.

Defending has always been a signature of interim head coach Pat Ercoli's Rhinos teams of the past, and the 2013 Rhinos have responded since Ercoli resumed control of the team for the remainder of the season on May 19th. The team in front of Nicht has been anchored by left back Danny Earls, center backs Troy Roberts and Georgios Kyriazis, central midfielders Tyler Rosenlund and Lance Rozeboom, and strikers Blake Brettschneider and Matt Horth. After allowing 17 goals in their first eight matches, the Rhinos have only conceded 14 goals in the 14 matches that Ercoli has been in charge. While Rochester once had the league's worst defensive record, they are now eighth in goals conceded heading into their last four matches of the season.

While Dayton has struggled of late, most notably away from home, they still possess an impressive array of attacking players. Dayton enters the match with only one win and three losses in their last six, and the Dutch Lions are winless in their last four matches away from Beavercreek Stadium. Dayton is led by forward Gibson Bardsley, who is having a breakout season with seven goals and five assists for 19 points. Fellow frontrunners Brandon Swartzendruber (five goals, two assists) and Tjeerd Westdijk (six goals, two assists) are also among the Dutch Lions leading scorers, while Joel DeLass has added six goals from the midfield. The Dutch Lions are tied for the sixth best scoring record in the league with 34 goals this season.

The Rochester Rhinos will host the Dayton Dutch Lions in their next home match on Friday, August 2nd at 7:35PM in Sahlen's Stadium. Individual tickets are currently available, and they can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets, group tickets and flex packages for the 2013 USL PRO season are also on sale now.

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