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USL United Soccer League Championship

Rhinos Rally Past Kickers

June 25, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


RICHMOND, Va. - The Rochester Rhinos snapped their seven-game winless streak in USL PRO with a dramatic 3-2 victory against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday night at City Stadium. J.C. Banks scored the decisive goal in second-half stoppage time to give the Rhinos victory.

The Kickers took an early lead as Luke Vercollone scored his second goal in as many games against the Rhinos this season as he finished off a pass from Chris Agorsor. The Rhinos were able to get back on even terms before the break, however, as Graciano Brito scored in the 27th minute.

The game then exploded to life in the final 10 minutes as the Kickers' retook the lead in the 82nd minute through Jason Yeisley. Three minutes later, however, the Rhinos were awarded a penalty kick and Andrew Hoxie converted from the spot. Banks, who had a major hand in the Rhinos' strong start to the season, then earned his side all three points as he tucked home Isaac Kissi's cross in the third minute of stoppage time, grabbing victory for Rochester.

The Rhinos will return home this weekend to host the Harrisburg City Islanders at Sahlen's Stadium at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Kickers remain at home as they next host the Los Angeles Blues on Tuesday, July 3 at 7 p.m. ET.

FRIDAY

PITTSBURGH 2, WILMINGTON 1: Darren Amoo scored a late winner as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds rallied to take victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The goal was Amoo's second of the season, and came after Matt Kassel had tied the game with his second goal of the season.

The scoring began in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, with the Hammerheads striking first in the 50th minute as Manny Guzman flicked home Dylan Riley's cross. Kassel tied the game five minutes later from the penalty spot after Stefan Lundberg was brought down in the penalty area.

The Riverhounds then took victory with eight minutes to go as Mike Seth gathered a half-cleared corner and clipped a cross to the far post that Amoo headed home, ending the Hammerheads' seven-game undefeated streak.

The Riverhounds remain at home this weekend as they host Orlando City Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Chartiers Valley Stadium.

ORLANDO 3, HARRISBURG 0: Dennis Chin scored a pair of goals as Orlando City became the first side to take 10 wins in USL PRO this season with victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Both sides had chances to take the lead in the first half, and Orlando thought it had taken the lead in the final minute as Matt Luzunaris headed home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, though, Luzunaris wouldn't be denied as he headed home Jerome Mechek's cross to give the Lions a 1-0 halftime lead.

Orlando doubled its lead three minutes after the break as Chin bagged his first of the night, and it wrapped up the game with 20 minutes to go as Max Griffin sprang Chin for his sixth goal of the season. The City Islanders continued to press to try and get back in the game, hitting both the crossbar and the post late on, but the Lions ended up with a comfortable victory.

Orlando hits the road this weekend as the Lions face the Dayton Dutch Lions at Miami Valley South Stadium next Friday night at 8 p.m. ET before moving on to battle the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night at Chartiers Valley Stadium.

SATURDAY

CHARLESTON 3, HARRISBURG 1: The Charleston Battery took their second consecutive victory as second-half goals by Navion Boyd and Ryan Richter proved the difference in their win against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery took the lead in first-half stoppage time as Jose Cuevas drilled home a close-range effort. The Battery then doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half through Boyd, who tapped home at the far post after being found by Sallieu Bundu with a low cross from the left side of the penalty area.

Harrisburg hit back quickly as. J.T. Noone's low cross was met by Tom Mellor 10 yards out, his shot just crossing the line before Tony Donatelli could clear. Both teams continued to press forward in an open contest, but the City Islanders were reduced to 10 men late on as Andrew Welker was shown his second yellow card. The Battery put the game away with three minutes remaining as Richter took advantage of the extra space in the City Islanders defense and tucked home a left-footed finish.

The Battery next take a trip for a pair of games against Antigua Barracuda FC Friday and Sunday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The City Islanders will remain on the road on Tuesday night as they visit the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park for the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before they visit the Rochester Rhinos Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. ET.

DAYTON 4, WILMINGTON 0: The Dayton Dutch Lions got a pair of first-half goals from Eli Garner as they took victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday night at Miami Valley South Stadium, giving the Dutch Lions their first win in league play this season and moving them off the bottom of the USL PRO standings.

The Dutch Lions struck early as Gibson Bardsley scored his third goal of the season in the 11th minute, turning into space and shooting home from the right side of the penalty area. Garner then notched his first in the 33rd minute as the Dutch Lions were able to capitalize on a counter-attack following a Hammerheads corner.

Garner struck again on the counter-attack seven minutes later, putting Dayton in control at halftime, as he again took advantage of a breakaway to score his third goal in USL PRO this season, tying Bardsley for the team lead. The Hammerheads were resolute in trying to get back in the game, twice hitting the crossbar, but Eric Kissinger's first touches after coming on as a second-half substitute capped the scoring as he finished low into the right corner from the left side of the penalty area in the 79th minute.

The Dutch Lions next travel to Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday night for the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup before they return home on Friday to host Orlando City at Miami Valley South Stadium. The Hammerheads will return home this weekend to host the Los Angeles Blues at Legion Stadium on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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