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Rough Riders Take Down Falcons 3-0

July 11, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


Plainview, NY- The Long Island Rough Riders put together another strong performance today defeating the Jersey Falcons for the second time in a week by the score of 3-0. Behind goals from team leading scorer Derrick Etienne and one by midfield "general" Jim Rooney the Rough Riders were able to continue their run towards the playoffs. Goalkeeper Dan Sirota was able to hold the Falcons scoreless, rewarding the Rough Riders with their first shut out of the season. The Rough Riders have won four of their last five games.

This game was a very physical contest from the opening whistle with both teams accumulating twenty-four fouls between them. Both teams had trouble playing the ball due to very high grass across the entire field, making the game tempo extremely slow at times. The Rough Riders were able to overcome the physical play of the Falcons and poor field conditions to play the type of game they are best known for.

The Rough Riders opened the scoring at the 14 minute mark of the game when Carlo Espinosa sent a low line drive cross from the right wing into the middle of the box which was met by Derrick Etienne with a header from about six yards out.

After scoring early into the game the Rough Riders were determined to put more onto the scoreboard. With a little over a minute elapsed from the last goal, the squad was able to increase their lead. Mike Giacobbone sent a ball in from the right side to a cutting Jim Rooney. Rooney unleashed a curling shot from about twenty-two yards out which found the left side of the net, just out of the keepers reach.

The Rough Riders were able to put the game away mid way through the first half when Ricky Blanchard sent in a cross from the left side which was deflected out by a Falcons defender. The deflected ball was picked up by Carlo Espinosa who pushed it towards the end line, and released a beautiful cross into the middle of the box, which was met by the head of Derrick Etienne for his second goal of the game and tenth of the season

The Falcons were able to hold the Rough Riders in check for the rest of the game limiting them to zero goals over the remaining seventy minutes. This loss drops the Falcon's record to 1-13-00.

Rough Rider Head Coach Ronan Wiseman was delighted with the result. "This was a game we could have taken lightly, but we stayed focused the entire game, and came out with a good result."

The Rough Riders then return home for a special exhibition match against the MLS MetroStars on Tuesday, July 13th. The match at Mitchel Athletic Complex will kick off at 7:30pm. A half-time ceremony will be conducted to honor US National Team Player Chris Armas as the initial member of the Long Island Rough Riders "Hall Of Fame". Armas was a member of the Rough Riders during their initial two seasons, winning a National Championship with the franchise in 1995. For team and ticket information, please contact our office at 516-671-1585 or log onto our website at www.liroughriders.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 11, 2004


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