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Rough Riders Downed by Pioneers

August 5, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


The Long Island Rough Riders were hoping to snap a five-game losing streak that left them with only 3 wins in their last 12 games. Their wish would not be granted, as the losing streak was extended to six games with a 4-1 loss to the Western Mass Pioneers in their final home game at Mitchel Athletic Complex this season.

In their previous two meetings this season, the Pioneers had defeated the Rough Riders 2-1 on June 22nd and 1-0 on July 2nd. The Rough Riders hoped that, coming into their last home game of the season, they might change their luck with a win. The Pioneers, having already secured a playoff birth, were looking to extend their winning record against Long Island and take the four-game season series.

The Rough Riders had their chances, but couldn't capitalize, a continuing problem they have yet to solve. In the 8th minute, Moussa Sy left two defenders in the dust, but his shot failed to give Pioneers goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn any difficulty. Sy continued to look for his first goal since July 24th with a volley off a cross from Carlyle Myrie in the 18th minute than went wide of the net.

The Pioneers were the first to notch a goal on the scoreboard. In the 24th minute, Everson Maciel shot a well-placed ball into the upper 90 to give the Pioneers the early 1-0 lead. His teammate, Neil Krause, kept up the scoring with a goal off a give-and-go with Rigels Qosa to extend the Pioneers lead to 2-0.

The roles would be reversed when, in the 43rd minute, Qosa would tally his own goal with Krause getting the assist and widening the lead to 3-0 going into halftime.

Long Island, already out of playoff contention, continued to fight during the second half. Rough Riders keeper Guillermo Valencia, making his first appearance of the season, turned in a valiant effort with 8 saves, including one in the 52nd minute, stopping a breakaway by Jay Willis to keep the Rough Riders in the game.

The aggressive play was maintained by both sides throughout the game, earning the Rough Riders yellow cards for Jose Sura in the 64th minute, Laurence Piturro in the 75th, and captain Wilmer Cabrera in the 89th. The Pioneers were issued two yellow cards of their own, given to Willis in the 30th and Chris Cleary in the 37 th.

The Rough Riders finally got on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute. Anthony Barberio, coming off the bench to replace Ricky Blanchard in the 63rd minute, found the end of a cross by Rough Rider rookie Tal Sheynfeld, making his first appearance for the team and narrowing the lead to 3-1.

Western Mass, however, took advantage of Long Island's slow recovery from celebrating their goal with a goal of their own. In the 75th minute, Qosa would add his second goal of the game off an assist by Maciel to bring the score to 4-1. Valencia did his best to give the Rough Riders a chance, stopping a one-on-one shot with Willis. Willis, however, recovered and sent the rebound rolling towards the empty Rough Riders net, only to be stopped on the line by a sliding Piturro. Their offense would not be as lucky, failing to score another goal in the game and giving the Rough Riders a 4-1 loss.

The Rough Riders now attempt to earn their first win in six games on the road, visiting Western Mass for a rematch on Wednesday, August 10 th. Their final game of the 2005 season will have them traveling to New Hampshire to face the Phantoms on Saturday, August 13th.

Final Score Western Mass Pioneers 4- Long Island Rough Riders 1

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