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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Top Syracuse 4:0 in Final Preseason Match

March 20, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


Rochester Rhinos vs. Syracuse University
Rochester Rhinos vs. Syracuse University
(Rochester Rhinos)

Rochester, NY - The Rochester Rhinos welcomed the Syracuse University's Men's soccer team to Sahlen's Stadium for the final preseason match of the 2015 season. Bob Lilley and the Rhinos came in to the contest with 2-0-2 (W-L-T) record with victories over Niagara University (6-1) and the University of Buffalo (3-0) and draws with Cornell University (0-0) and the Ottawa Fury FC (1-1). The Rhinos came out strong early and never looked back as we ended the preseason with a very positive 4:0 victory.

The match kicked off at 2:30pm and in the 2nd minute of the match, Colin Rolfe found himself with room at the top of the 18 yard box and fired a shot, low and hard, to the far post to open up the scoring. After some pressure by Syracuse, the Rhinos began to link some passes together and get into some dangerous areas. Alex Dixon and Jonny Mendoza connected on a few passes in the attacking third before Mendoza was brought down and a free kick was awarded. On the ensuing free kick, Mendoza whipped in a ball that found the Julian Ringhof's head who hammered it home to put the Rhinos up 2:0 in the 12th minute.

The next 20 minutes of the 1st half was dominated by the Rhinos. In the 16th minute, Dixon nearly found Asani Samuels making a far post run on the corner kick. Just eight minutes later, Righof was on the end of another Mendoza free kick but his header was just inches from making it 3:0 but it sailed over the crossbar. After some more dominating link up play by the Rhinos, Samuels was brought down just outside of the 18 yard box. Mendoza stepped up for another free kick. This one found Tony Walls and he nodded the header perfectly to the far post and put the Rhinos up 3:0 in the 35th minute. The Rhinos kept the pressure up to end the 1st half but couldn't notch another goal.

The 2nd half came and the Rhinos picked up right where they left off. Ricardo Webb played Christian Volesky in on goal, but the Syracuse goalkeeper came out to corral the looping through ball. In the 55th minute, Mike Garzi was brought down at about the 35 yard line. Mendoza stepped up behind the ball and played it in to the box. Steevan did well to break free from his defender and ripped a side volley in to the back of the net and put the Rhinos up 4:0.

The rest of the half, for the most part, was spent in the middle third of the field. The Rhinos saw a couple chances in the 2nd half. In 70th minute, Webb found a rebound come bouncing his way and he attacked it with a volley, but it missed the mark. In the 77th minute, Kenardo Forbes found space at the top of the box but his shot also went wide.

The Rochester Rhinos ended their preseason with a 4:0 victory over the Syracuse University Men's soccer team. Goals came from Rolfe, Righof (trialist), Walls, and Steevan (trialist); Jonny Mendoza assisted on three of the goals. Brandon Miller and Sean Murdoch saw time between the pipes and handled the pressure that came their way easily. The backline did a very good job at limiting Syracuse's possible chances.

The Rhinos end their preseason with a 3-0-2 record. After giving up the opening goal in the match against Niagara University, the Rhinos outscored their opponents 14:1. The Rhinos open their 2015 USL season on Saturday, March 28th at 2pm in Red Bull Arena against the New York Red Bulls II. The Rhinos home opener of the 20th Anniversary season is against the same New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, April 26th with a 2:05pm kickoff.

Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages, and group sales tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425) or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium.




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Rochester Rhinos vs. Syracuse University
Rochester Rhinos vs. Syracuse University
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 20, 2015


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