Friday, June 7, 2013
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos tied the Montreal Impact Reserves 1-1 on Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium. Rhinos forward Tam McManus scored his second goal in his last two matches to give the home side a first-half lead. However, Karl Ouimette tied the match in the 86th minute to take two points from the Rhinos.
Rochester scored the only goal of the first half in the 19th minute as McManus headed the ball into the goal off a cross from J.C. Banks that came from the right side. McManus’s shot first hit the crossbar before deflecting back into the net. With the assist, Banks moved up to No. 8 on the Rhinos’ list for all-time assists. He is now tied with Rhinos legend Johnny Menyongar, who had 13 career assists in 105 matches. Banks notched his 13 career assist in his 38th career start.
Rhinos coach Pat Ercoli made three line-up changes in the second half, first subbing in Mike Reidy for Banks in the 61st minute and Josh Faga for left midfielder Danny Earls in the 73rd minute. McManus was replaced by Kendell McFayden in the 79th minute, after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Rochester nearly escaped with a shutout before Montreal’s Ouimette scored an unassisted goal in the 86th minute. Ouimette was played thru behind the Rhinos back four and was in on goal, but Rochester left back Tyler Polak was able to track back and make a sliding tackle to block his shot on goal. The ball bounced back off Ouimette after Polak blocked it, and it ended up looping over Rhinos keeper Kristian Nicht and into the back of the net to level the score.
Tyler Roselund nearly found a winner for the Rhinos in the 89th minute, but Montreal goalie Maxime Crepeau made a diving save to keep the game tied 1-1. Despite three minutes of stoppage time, it was not enough for the Rhinos to score another goal and the game ended in a draw.
The Rhinos will host VSI Tampa Bay FC in their next home match on Friday, June 14th at 7:35 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium. Individual tickets are currently available, and they can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen’s Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets, group tickets and flex packages for the 2013 USL PRO season are also on sale now.