Rochester Rhinos News Release – www.rhinossoccer.com
Saturday, March 19, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – After beginning the preseason with a scoreless draw on Thursday night, the Rochester Rhinos emerged victorious for the first time on Saturday as goals by Nick Blanco and recent signing Tony Donatelli earned the Rhinos a 2-1 win against York (Ontario) University.
Midfielder Nick Blanco tallied the club’s first goal in exhibition play in the opening minutes of the match to put Rochester up 1-0. Blanco made a nice run, putting himself into position for his first goal of the preseason.
Rochester’s Andrew Hoxie nearly made it 2-0 a short time later when he broke free inside the six-yard box but couldn’t slide his shot in the short side.
York tied the match just before halftime when Rochester goalkeeper Ryan Kenny tipped a shot off the crossbar before Branko Majstorovic followed up on to level the score.
Blanco and Donatelli teamed up in the 53rd minute on a give-and-go only to see Donatelli shoot into the side of the net.
Donatelli would get another chance later on however as a free kick awarded just outside York’s penalty area would lead to a free kick in the 89th minute. This time the 26-year old connected, blistering a shot high past a diving goalkeeper to give the Rhinos their first win.
Rochester will take its 1-0-1 preseason mark to Cortland on Saturday, March 26 when the Rhinos take on St. Bonaventure University.