Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Friday, June 29, 2012
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos return to Sahlen’s Stadium for the first time since June 8th when they host the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7:05 p.m. The Rhinos played their last three matches on the road, and they remain in third place in the USL PRO table with 10 matches left to play. Rochester broke a seven-match winless streak with a 3-2 comeback victory in Richmond last Saturday night. The City Islanders have lost their last three matches and currently sit in seventh place in the table – one point behind Richmond for the sixth and final playoff spot.
Rochester Rhinos right winger JC Banks scored the biggest goal of his two year career last Saturday night in Richmond. Kickers front-runner Jason Yeisley put Richmond ahead 2-1 in the 82nd minute before Andrew Hoxie scored an 85th-minute penalty to level the score at two. Banks got on the end of a through ball from Isaac Kissi in stoppage time and scored the game winning goal to end the Rhinos seven match winless streak. Banks currently leads USL PRO in assists (6) and is fourth in the league in points (12). The Rhinos 2011 Rookie of the Year is the club’s leading scorer this season. He has scored at least one point in 15 career matches for the Rhinos, and the club is 13-0-2 when he does.
“JC is having a breakout season.” Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers said. “I could tell how dangerous he was when Richmond came up here to play against the Rhinos last season. This year he’s put the stats up. His ability to create and finish chances from the flank has been our primary offensive weapon this year.”
Third-year Rhinos Tyler Rosenlund and Troy Roberts played in their 75th career match in all competitions last Saturday night in Richmond. Rosenlund is a center midfielder who has nine goals and seven assists in his career. His teammates selected him as the Rhinos Most Valuable Player last season for his tireless work as a box-to-box center midfielder. Roberts has been the Rhinos captain for the last two seasons. He played every minute of every match in the 2010 season, and he is on pace to do it again in 2012. Roberts missed five matches with a hamstring injury in 2011, and the Rhinos conceded six goals and kept one clean sheet without him. In his 75 games with the Rhinos, Rochester has conceded 60 goals and kept 30 clean sheets.
“Tyler and Troy are two of the cornerstones of our team.” Myers said. “They’ve been here for a while now and are starting to have some milestones. We’re happy for them and are looking forward to having them here for many years to come.”
The City Islanders are playing their third and final regular match this season against Rochester on Saturday night. They defeated Rochester 1-0 on a 48th minute strike from Morgan Langley on May 25th. Goalkeeper Nick Noble made two saves on four shots to keep the clean sheet for Harrisburg in the Rhinos’ first defeat of 2012. On June 15th, Michael Tanke gave Rochester a 1-0 lead in Harrisburg in the 80th minute before Yann Ekra and Lucky Mkosana scored for the City Islanders in the last five minutes to give them a 2-1 victory.
Harrisburg has lost three consecutive matches since their dramatic come from behind win over Rochester. This will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs in the last two seasons.
“Whenever you frequently play a team, particularly in knockout matches like the U.S. Open Cup and the playoffs last season, some animosity is bound to develop.” Myers said. “They’ve won the last three matches, including last year in the playoffs, and they’re starting to become a thorn in our sides. I’m getting a little bit sick of it, and so should everyone else.”
Saturday night will also mark Hall of Fame Induction Night as center back Craig Demmin, striker Doug Miller, and goalkeeper Pat Onstad join Lenin Steenkamp in the Rhinos Hall of Fame. The first 1,000 fans will receive Demmin bobbleheads courtesy of Faber Homes. Miller and Onstad will also have limited edition bobbleheads later in the season.
Doug Miller Bobble Head Night, sponsored by Wendy’s, will be on Friday, July 27th against the Los Angeles Blues, and Pat Onstad Bobble Head Night, also sponsored by Wendy’s, will be on Saturday, August 1st against the Charleston Battery.
The Rhinos are offering two Hall of Fame Bobblehead promotions. Non-season ticket holders can purchase a three-game ticket package and be guaranteed all three bobbleheads for $49.99. Season-ticket holders can purchase all three bobbleheads in a guaranteed package for $20. Bobbleheads will be available at the gates on a first come-first serve basis the night of each match. The guaranteed package ensures the holder a bobblehead each night without the wait in line.
Tickets are available for Saturday night’s match by calling (585) 454-KICK, by visiting rhinossoccer.com, or by visiting any of Ticketmaster’s retail locations.