USL PRO News Release
Thursday, May 17, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The Rochester Rhinos will try to make USL PRO history this Friday night as they host the Dayton Dutch Lions at Sahlen’s Stadium on a six-game winning streak to start the season, highlighting a four-game weekend schedule that will have three games aired on USLNation.com.
The Richmond Kickers opened the 2011 USL PRO season with a six-game winning streak, and the Rhinos would break their record with a second victory this season against the Dutch Lions. But while Dayton remains the only winless team in USL PRO this season, they gave the Rhinos a test when the two teams met on April 28 ago at Careflight Stadium, J.C. Banks’ goal deciding a tight contest that saw Dayton outshoot the Rhinos 15-11 and both goalkeepers make eight saves.
Rochester’s success has been based around a strong defensive unit that has yet to allow a goal this season. They put in their strongest performance of the season in their last outing, weathering a torrent of shots from the Charleston Battery to eke out a 1-0 win at Blackbaud Stadium this past Saturday. Kristian Nicht earned USL PRO Player of the Week honors after recording 10 saves as the Rhinos were outshot 20-2, but the Dutch Lions will be hopeful they can play spoiler in the Rhinos’ second home game of the season.
Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds will try to build off a strong goalkeeping performance by Hunter Gilstrap on Wednesday night that saw them earn a point on the road against the Harrisburg City Islanders when they meet the Richmond Kickers on Friday night.
Saturday night sees a USLNation doubleheader as the City Islanders host the Dutch Lions for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff at Skyline Sports Complex, followed by the Wilmington Hammerheads returning to action against the Charlotte Eagles at 7:30 p.m. ET at Legion Stadium. The Hammerheads will be eager to try and regain fourth spot in the standings from the Los Angeles Blues with a win, while avoiding being jumped by the Eagles.
For live updates from all the weekend’s games, plus news, features, previews and game reports from around USL PRO, follow the league on Twitter (@USLPRO) and like its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/USLPRO).