Tuesday, June 25, 2013
SOUTH HUNTINGTON, N.Y. -- The Long Island Rough Riders defeated the Central Jersey Spartans for the second time in one week on Tuesday night as they took a 1-0 win at Cy Donnelly Stadium. In a game that lacked inspiration for the majority of the game, Tyler Botte secured the win for his side in the 56th minute.
In their first game after a 3-1 loss to Ocean City, the Rough Riders were determined to close the gap to the Mid Atlantic Division's top teams and attacked the Spartans’ defense from the opening minute. Pressing early and winning many balls in the attacking half, Stephen Roche and Orlando Castaneda recorded early shots for the home team. In the 13th minute, Tom Wharf had an excellent scoring opportunity when Tyler Arnone clipped the ball over the defense and Wharf found himself wide open in front of Spartans goalkeeper John Richards. Wharf’s attempt was saved by Richards, as was another effort by Arnone four minutes later.
The Rough Riders’ attacking phase came to an end after seven shots in the first 25 minutes. Tyler Botte had the last chance of the first half when he headed a Danny Kramer cross just inches over the crossbar in the 36th minute. While the home side was dominant throughout the first half, their lack of inspiration and precision in the final third kept the game scoreless going into halftime.
After the intermission the game never reached the intensity of the opening minutes. Neither team was able to gain control due to slow passing and numerous turnovers. Botte continued to stay the most dangerous Rough Riders forward when his header off a Sarle cross narrowly missed the goal in the 54th minute. Only two minutes later, Richards blocked a shot by Dom Iovino from the left corner of the penalty box in front of Botte’s feet. Long Island’s leading scorer this season needed only one touch to convert the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
Besides a wide open Brian Pereira header in the 59th minute and a rebound opportunity by Kevin Knowles in the 80th minute, neither team was able to create valuable chances beyond Botte's goal, but the Rough Riders were able to walk away with a comfortable victory.
“It is great to be back to winning ways”, says a relieved Rough Riders head coach Paul Roderick. “Results are sometimes more important than an attractive style of playing and we desperately needed this win.”
With this victory, the Rough Riders remain in fifth place in the Mid Atlantic Division with 14 points. They were able to close the gap to the teams ahead of them and are back in the run for a highly sought-after playoff spot.
The Rough Riders will return to action on Saturday, June 29th for another Rough Riders doubleheader. Following the Women’s game against the Washington Spirit Reserves at 5 p.m., the Men’s Team will take on the Westchester Flames at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.liroughriders.com/tickets or at the box office on game day (opens at 4:00pm).