Long Island Rough Riders News Release - www.liroughriders.com
Friday, June 28, 2013
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. - The Long Island Rough Riders will host the season's final PDL/W-League doubleheader on Saturday at Cy Donnelly Stadium in South Huntington. The women will take on the Washington Spirit Reserves at 5 p.m. and the men kick off against the Westchester Flames at 7:30.
The W-League Rough Riders are coming off a devastating three-game road trip. After losing to the Washington Spirit Reserves, the Virginia Beach Piranhas and the Fredericksburg Impact, the Rough Riders fell behind in the race for a sought-after playoff spot. Additionally, two key players - Kim DeCesare and Sue Weber - suffered ankle injuries and will miss the game against the Reserves.
With their three losses, the Rough Riders sit in third place in the Northeastern Conference with 12 points. They are four points behind the Piranhas and the Spirit Reserves, who both have a game in hand.
Washington has proven to be one of the toughest opponents of the season, as it is currently tied for first place with 16 points. Spirit Reserves forward Amber Stobbs has recorded three goals and seven assists in seven games, and midfielder Katie Yensen and forward Ashley Herndon have each scored three goals. The Reserves are coming off a scoreless tie against the North Jersey Valkyries this past weekend in which they outshot the Valkyries 10-3 but could not capitalize on their chances or break through the strong Valkyries defense.
Long Island and Washington met for the first time last week, when the Rough Riders fell short 2-0. Their plan to dominate the center of the field became more difficult after defender Weber rolled her ankle and had to be carried off the field. Stobbs scored in the 17th minute off a precise cross by Katie Yensen. Minutes after the first goal, midfielder DeCesare also rolled her ankle and joined Weber on the bench. Jenn Skogerboe completed the scoring with her goal in second-half stoppage time.
The PDL Rough Riders are coming off a 1-0 win against the Central Jersey Spartans on Tuesday night. In an uninspired game, Tyler Botte made the difference when he one-touched the ball into the back of the net after a Dom Iovino shot rebounded right to his feet.
The Rough Riders are currently in fifth place with 14 points in the Mid Atlantic Division. They were able to close the gap on the teams ahead of them and are back in the run for a playoff spot.
The Westchester Flames are having a difficult season thus far. They are currently in ninth place with one point in the division. Having conceded 34 goals, the Flames' vulnerability lies in their defense. They are led by midfielders Richard Heredia, Housainou Ogoo and forward Rilwan Salawu, who have each contributed to the Flames' seven goals this season.
In their last match on Wednesday, the Flames were defeated 4-1 by first-place Reading United. Forward Mario Pinto-Neto (two goals) and defender Damion Lowe (goal) gave Reading the 3-0 lead going into the half. United came out strong in the second half and Pinto added another goal to complete his hat trick. In the closing minutes of the game, Flames midfielder Michael Abraham tallied a goal, completing the score.
The Rough Riders and the Flames met twice in the 2012 season. In the first meeting the Rough Riders traveled to Westchester and defeated the Flames 1-0 in a close match in which both teams had several scoring opportunities. Danny Kramer converted in the 40th minute to give the Rough Riders the victory.In the return match at Cy Donnelly Stadium, the Rough Riders defeated the Flames 5-1 as Ben Arikian scored two goals in the first half and another in the second half, completing his hat trick.