Thursday, June 7, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The River City Rovers took a 2-1 victory against the Chicago Inferno on Thursday night at Centurion Soccer Field, gaining their third victory of the season and moving into second place in the PDL's Great Lakes Division. Tim Haywood gave the Rovers victory in their first meeting with the expansion side early in the second half.
The Rovers applied high pressure to the Inferno's defense early, while the side's midfielders were able to make penetrating runs in behind the back line in search of the opening goal. River City (3-1-1) was rewarded in the 14th minute, when a free kick was sent into the penalty area and Dillon Tufty was able to get in behind the defense, flicking his shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
The Rovers continued to press forward following the goal, and had chances to double their lead. Tufty’s pace up top caused the Inferno's defense problems, while Ryan Smith was able to get on the end of a long diagonal ball from Albert Edward before firing a shot that just missed the target.
It was the Inferno (2-4-1) who would score next, however, as a defensive miscue in the 34th minute saw River City score an own goal, which left the teams even at the halftime break. But River City would retake the lead six minutes into the second half after defensive error by the Inferno, whose goalkeeper picked up a back-pass, resulting in an indirect free kick 10 yards from goal. Haywood hammered home the free kick after Smith tapped the ball for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
The Inferno pressed forward to try and salvage a point from the game, but were unable to find the back of the net in the second half as Matthew Soyka had 10 saves to seal the victory for the Rovers.
River City remains at home for their next contest, which is set for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. when they host FC London in key contest in the Great Lakes Division playoff race.