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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Travel to Harrisburg Saturday Night

August 28, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos visit the Harrisburg City Islanders at the Skyline Sports Complex on Saturday, August 30 th, 2014. Kick off is at 7PM.

Entering this weekend's fixtures six points separate fifth place and 11 th place in the 2014 USL PRO table. Harrisburg is in sixth place with 34 points from 25 matches, while Rochester is in seventh place with 32 points from 26 matches. Six of the eight teams involved in the race for the last four spots in the 2014 USL PRO playoffs will be playing on or before Saturday night to further complicate the playoff picture. The maximum six points from their final two matches will not ensure the Rhinos a place in the playoffs as five other teams could still finish on 38 points or better. Rochester failed to make the playoffs for the first time in its 19-year history last season, and Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley has never missed the playoffs in a professional coaching career that began in 1997.

"There's a lot of different ways that this season could end with so many teams competing for playoff spots." Lilley said. "It will probably be exciting for fans with so many different teams and scenarios involved, but it can't be exciting for us. Our sole focus needs to be on Saturday night in Harrisburg - that is the only outcome that we currently can have any effect on."

The Rhinos and the Islanders played to a two all draw in Rochester on Saturday, August 23 rd despite the home side being up a goal and up a man by the 33 rd minute. Rochester's Tony Walls opened the scoring in the 8 th minute with a free kick from 25 yards out. City's goalkeeper Nick Noble was sent off for committing a "last man" foul on the Rhinos Alex Dixon just outside the box in the 33 rd minute. Harrisburg's Clesio Bauque scored the equalizer off of an assist from Yann Ekra in the 37 th minute. The duo combined to give the visitors the lead in the 42 nd minute. JC Banks saved a point for the Rhinos from the penalty spot in the 54 th minute.

Last Saturday night's stars have been among their respective team's leaders for the 2014 season. Banks leads Rochester with eight goals and two assists. He is top ten in USL PRO in scoring, and his 16 points are good for 11 th in the league. Bauque now has five goals on the season for City, while Ekra now has five assists. Noble will miss Saturday night's re-match in central Pennsylvania, but the Islanders will be buoyed by the return of one of their attacking catalysts. Morgan Langley has five goals and six assists this season, but he has missed the last two matches. Langley will be available to return to Harrisburg's line-up this weekend.

Rochester will conclude the 2014 regular season in Sahlen's Stadium against Wilmington Hammerheads on Sunday, September 7 th, 2014 at 4:05PM. In addition to serving as the Rhinos and Hammerheads regular season finales, the match will also serve as the USL PRO regular season finale. Both teams are currently in playoff competition and will know what results, if any, will put them into the post season before they kick off on September 7 th .

Tickets for any 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.

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