Rhinos Post Season Run Comes to An End on Pk's

October 8, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release

NYRBII ENDS ROCHESTER'S CHAMPIONSHIP RUN ON PK'S

Dos Santos strikes twice in regulation, but it's not enough for the Rhino's to hang on.

ROCHESTER, NY (October 7, 2016)- The Rochester Rhinos traveled to Red Bull Arena on Friday night to face the 2016 Regular Season Champions New York Red Bull II. The game opened up with strong challenges by both sides. With two powerful teams on the pitch, the Eastern Conference Semifinals we're sure to be exciting.

The teams delivered early on. Derrick Etienne's footwork led him into the Rhinos box, after a 1v1 with Ryan James, he slotted the ball into the lower corner past a diving Gomez halfway through the first half. New York's celebration was short lived however. Less than a minute later on a free kick, Rochester kept their composure when needed. On a quick restart, Volesky serviced the ball on a short slant into Steevan Dos Santos who found the equalizer.

Aggressive play continued by both sides. Unfortunately for the Rhinos, in the final minutes of the first half Brandon Allen broke the tie match. Florian Valot had the initial shot with Gomez making an incredible save, Allen found the rebound to send the teams into half 2-1.

A halftime talk with Coach Lilley was all the Rhinos needed to come out fighting again in the second half. Controlling the attack for the start of the half, the Rhinos maintained possession before Ryan James sent a cross into a leading Dos Santos. Steevan headed the ball into the lower right corner of the net finding his second equalizer of the night.

Much like the regular season, regulation ended in a draw. The teams headed into overtime after the Rhinos fought hard for a 2-2 draw. Wal Fall put Rochester ahead in the second overtime with ten minutes left, scoring his second goal of the post season this year.

Looking to maintain the lead, Rochester subbed in defensive players to secure their net.

A devastating penalty was whistled in the box, and Allen sent Gomez the other way. Tied 3-3 at the end of overtime the teams turned to penalty kicks to decide the winner of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Steevan Dos Santos stepped up for the Rhinos in the fourth round of penalty kicks. The forward kept the Rhinos in the match scoring not once, but twice. His shot went over the crossbar and set up the Rhinos for a disadvantage heading into the fifth round. Gomez was unable to get a stop, and Plewa finished for the Red Bulls.

The journey to defending their USL Championship ended short for the Rhinos this season. New York Red Bull II will now face the winner of Louisville vs Charleston in the Eastern Conference Finals.

-- About the Rochester Rhinos

The Rochester Rhinos, the most successful soccer club in the United States and Canada outside of Major League Soccer, were founded in 1996 and currently compete in the USL, the top tier of the United Soccer League. The Rhinos have appeared in nine finals and won five championships including the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, three A-League Championships (1998, 2000, 2001) and the 2015 USL Championship. In 2013, the New England Revolution became the official MLS affiliate of the Rochester Rhinos. All home matches are played in western New York's premier outdoor sport's facility, Rhinos Stadium, located in downtown Rochester. For group and season tickets visit our website www.rhinossoccer.com or call the Rochester Rhinos Ticket Department at (585) 454-KICK (5425) or via email at tickets@rhinossoccer.com

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Rhinos Post Season Run Comes to An End on Pk's - Rochester Rhinos

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Rhinos Post Season Run Comes to An End on Pk's

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