Silverbacks Make History Tonight With 2-1 Win

September 14, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks beat the Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-1 in the first leg of the USL First Division quarterfinals Friday night at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. A goal at the very beginning of the match from Warren Ukah and a goal at the very end of the match from Anthony Wolfe gave the 'Backs the win tonight, marking the franchise's first postseason victory. The Silverbacks wasted no time taking the early lead on the Rhinos; Atlanta got on the board first in just the eighth minute of the match. Machel Millwood played the ball out to David Hayes on the left flank, Hayes whipped the ball inside to Ukah who battled a Rochester defender and finished the ball past the Rhinos' goalkeeper, Scott Vallow. The Silverbacks had another great chance just two minutes when a Rochester defender cleared the ball from the mouth of the goal. The wet field made for a slippery, fast-paced first half as the Rhinos attempted to even the score and the Silverbacks attempted to extend their lead. Rochester took the next goal of the match in the 17th minute when Mike Ambersley put away the equalizer. Atlanta cleared a Rochester corner kick but Ambersley recovered the ball just outside the 18-yard-box and ripped a shot that proved too much for Atlanta's Ryan McIntosh. The half played out without another goal for either side. The second half was all Atlanta and Rochester did not take a single shot on goal. Vallow made some terrific saves to keep the score tied 1-1 for the majority of the half. Rochester began to play a bit more physical and constant fouling interrupted the flow of play throughout the entire half. The Rhinos were called for 19 fouls in the second half alone, along with four yellow cards. In the 62nd minute, a mêlée in front of Rochester's goal ended with both Macoumba Kandji and Tony McManus down with injuries - McManus did not return to the match. Atlanta had several more great attempts but Vallow kept his team in the game. In the 87th minute the Silverbacks' continued pressure finally paid off when Wolfe headed a corner past Vallow. Luis Liendo sent the corner kick that found the head of Wolfe. The Rhinos had two dangerous corner kicks of their own in stoppage time, but Atlanta's defense squelched any last second chances for Rochester. The two teams will complete the second leg of the USL quarter-finals on Sunday, September 16 at 6:05 pm (www.USLLive.com) at PAETEC Park in Rochester, NY. Atlanta needs to win or draw Sunday's match in order to advance to the semi-finals. The two game series is based on aggregate goals; should Rochester beat Atlanta 1-0 on Sunday, the teams will go into overtime and penalty kicks if necessary to determine a winner.



USL First Division Stories from September 14, 2007


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