Friday, May 10, 2013
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Rochester Rhinos got a late goal by Matt Horth to claim their first victory of the season as they took a 1-0 victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium on Friday night. Horth’s first goal for the Rhinos came in the 79th minute, handing the Hammerheads their fourth consecutive defeat and second in a row at home.
The return of Hammerheads veteran Paul Nicholson in the midfield after a two-game suspension, along with former defender Tom Parratt, allowed the Hammerheads to control much of the first half. Brazilian forward Richard Isberner also made his USL PRO debut with the Hammerheads after officially being cleared for play earlier this week. He was joined up top by teammate Cody Arnoux, who pushed the attack early on, only for Rochester goalkeeper Kritian Nicht to deny all chances on goal.
Hammerheads defender Daniel Steres had the first opportunity of the game in the 13th minute with a shot that went just wide of the right post. Rochester midfielder Lance Rozeboom followed soon after with a similar attempt at the Hammerheads’ end of the pitch.
Wilmington had an opportunity to take the lead in the 20th minute after a handball was called in the penalty area on Rochester defender George Kyriazis. Arnoux stepped up to take the penalti kick, but the shot soared over the crossbar, leaving the match scoreless.
Another close opportunity came minutes later for the Hammerheads when defender Gareth Evans took a header off a corner kick from Arnoux and struck the corner of the crossbar and the intersection of the left post, the Rhinos being able to clear the rebound. Rochester also went close just before halftime, Michael Reidy shooting just wide of the right post from the left side of the penalty area on an effort that just slipped past Phil Tuttle’s grasp before rolling out of bounds.
Nicholson set the pace starting the second half as gained possession with a one-on-one challenge against Rozeboom before passing to Isberner, who moved the ball on for a shot by Parratt. Nicht tallied impressive saves during the match, but none as notable as his goal line save off a shot by Steres that left his entire lower body lying in the goal.
The lone goal of the match came in the 79th minute by Horth as he picked up possession just outside the penalty area from Reidy. The forward, on loan from the New England Revolution, hit a low shot that beat Tuttle, who reacted slowly, putting the Rhinos up 1-0. The Hammerheads tried to come up with a goal to tie the match in the final 10 minutes, but they were unable to find the back of the net to earn a draw.
The Wilmington Hammerheads continue their weekend doubleheader on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium as they face the Charleston Battery in a rematch of last season’s USL PRO Championship. The two teams encountered during preseason with Charleston taking the win in the second half 2-0. Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. as Charleston hosts Kick for the Cure.
For further information, please contact the Wilmington Hammerheads at (910) 777-2111 or visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.