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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Win Home Opener to Remain Unbeaten

April 26, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos opened their 20 th season in Rochester, and extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2:0 victory over the New York Red Bulls II in Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday, April 26 th 2015. Second year forward Alex Dixon scored the match winning goal in the 40 th minute off of an assist from New England Revs loanee Tyler Rudy, and second year midfielder Jonny Mendoza secured all three points for the home side off of an assist from striker Colin Rolfe in the 67 th minute. Goalkeepers Brandon Miller and Adam Grinwis each played a half in goal and combined to keep the clean sheet.

The victory moves the Rhinos back into a tie with Richmond Kickers at the top of the USL Eastern Conference with 14 points from a 4-0-2 start to the 2015 campaign, but the Kickers remain on top of the table on goal differential.

Rochester's pressing defensive style was the catalyst that opened the scoring for the home side. Rhinos striker Colin Rolfe forced Red Bulls II center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste to turn the ball over at the top left corner of New York's penalty area. Rolfe squared the ball to Rudy at the top of the box. Rudy powered a shot on goal, but New York Red Bulls II goalkeeper Santiago Castano was able to dive to his left and parry Rudy's effort away. However, Castano's rebound dropped directly to Dixon, and he volleyed the ball into the empty net from ten yards out for his third goal of the season.

Mendoza doubled the Rhinos advantage in the 68 th minute. Rudy tackled the ball away from Red Bulls II forward Daniel Bedoya on the right flank just inside the attacking half of the pitch. Rudy played the ball forward to substitute Christian Volesky who quickly switched fields to Rolfe. Rolfe was able to slip a through ball to Mendoza down the left side of New York's penalty area before Mendoza cut into the box, and finished past Castano into the lower right corner of the net. The goal was the second of the year for Mendoza.

Rochester entered the match with the best defensive record, the lowest goals-against average, and the most clean sheets in USL. The Rhinos league leading defense was stout again on Sunday afternoon as Rochester limited New York Red Bulls II to three shots on goal over the 90 minutes, and Rochester's goalkeepers were not credited with any saves.

The loss dropped Red Bulls II to eighth in the table with five points from a 1-3-2 start to the season.

The Rhinos next match is against FC Montreal on Saturday, May 2 nd in Saputo Stadium at 4PM. The Rhinos defeated FC Montreal 3:0 in their first trip north of the border back on April 11 th . The match can be seen via streaming video live in its entirety on FC Montreal's YouTube channel with a navigation link provided from the USL website.

The Rhinos return to Rochester for their second home match of the 2015 USL season on Saturday, May 9 th at 7PM in Sahlen's Stadium against Toronto FC II. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages, group sales tickets, and individual match tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.

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