Long Island Rough Riders News Release
Saturday, July 6, 2013
LONG ISLAND, NY. - The Virginia Beach Piranhas defeated the Long Island Rough Riders 2-0 on Saturday night in New York. Trailing seven points behind a playoff spot with two games remaining, they are now officially out of postseason contention.
In the extreme heat at Cy Donnelly Stadium, both teams sought their opportunities early in the game. Three minutes into the game the Piranhas had a chance as W-League top scorer Shan Jones beat Marissa Mertens and Gabby Charno just outside the penalty box and had to be stopped by a courageously diving Rough Riders goalie Diana Poulin. The home team answered with a double chance in the fifth and seventh minute. Stephanie Colon’s header after a Dianna Marinaro cross went wide. Two minutes later Deanna Murino finished a quick Rough Riders combination play with a strong shot but also missed the net.
Both teams continued to press forward with each time finding the woodwork. Piranhas forward Ashley Braam tested the woodwork when she fired a shot from 25 yards out, only to hit the right post. From a similar position at the other end of the field Amanda Epstein hit the right post as well. Epstein had the next huge scoring opportunity when she was sent on the way by Amanda Ferranti. She dribbled around Piranhas goalkeeper Lauren Vetock but her shot was headed away on the line by Cheyenne Trevino.
In the 26th minute, Ferranti came close to getting on the scoreboard. After her breakaway on the right flank, she took a shot from a tight angle but Trevino was able to deflect the ball against the crossbar.
While the Rough Riders were unsuccessful to convert their excellent opportunities, the Piranhas showed no mercy. Jones created some space for fellow forward Braam who needed only one touch to put the ball past Poulin into the left corner of the net.
The 1-0 scoreline stood as the teams headed for the lockers.
The Piranhas brought on a fresh legs at half, replacing Braam with Nkese Udoh who made her impact in the second half. She recorded two early shots in the 55th and 58th minute but Poulin was there to save them both. Rachel Hoffman had the Rough Riders’ best chance of the second half in the 63rd minute. Sent on a breakaway by Epstein, she was narrowly beaten to a ball by Piranhas defender Melanie Adams-Cobb at the top of the penalty box.
Both teams were struggled to find their legs in the extreme heat in the second half. Udoh was able to break through on her right side of the field, but this was enough to decide the game. Her precise cross found Taylor Mertz on the far post who headed the ball away to secure the Piranhas’ eighth win of the season.
“Given the circumstances, we played very well and were unlucky not to take the lead earlier in the game," said Piranhas head coach Steve Cadet. “With six starters missing today and only three field players on the bench, we were not able to bring enough fresh legs to the game in the second half.”
With this result, the Rough Riders remain in third place in the Northeastern Conference with 15 points and will not be able to claim a playoff spot this season. The Piranhas solidified first place with 25 points and clinched a playoff spot.
In their final two games of the season, the Rough Riders hit the road to take on the New Jersey Wildcats on July 11 and the North Jersey Valkyries on July 14.