Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Saturday, May 7, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos welcomed the Charleston Battery to Sahlen’s Stadium in the first match played between the two teams since 2009. Tony Donatelli’s 25th-minute goal was enough as the Rhinos held off the defending USL-2 champs 1-0 in the first home-opening win for the Rhinos since 2004.
Rochester controlled the pace of play for most of the first half and had the first real scoring chance in the eighth minute when Connor Tobin hit a cross just wide off a cross into the box from Tyler Rosenlund.
The Rhinos eventually struck when defender Quavas Kirk made a run down the right flank, crossing the ball into the box. Donatelli worked his way into scoring position and volleyed a right-footed shot off the goalpost to the right of Charleston ‘keeper Keith Wiggins. With Wiggins on the ground Donatelli cleaned up the rebound for his first goal as a Rhino.
Charleston held possession in the second half but couldn’t crack the Rhinos’ defense. Zach Prince had an opportunity to beat Neal Kitson from inside the penalty area but the Rhinos goalkeeper made the save.
In the 58th minute Donatelli’s free kick rang off the crossbar nearly adding to the Rhinos’ lead. Rochester again nearly added to its lead a minute later when Donatelli’s in-swinging free kick was headed just high over the crossbar by Tobin.
Rochester was able to hold off the Battery for the final five minutes as Charleston mounted a furious comeback.
“The win was nice but the performance wasn’t” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. “We need to tighten up some areas if we are going to be successful. We allowed them to pressure us late in the game but fortunately we managed to hold them off.”
The Rhinos travel to face the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday night before returning to Sahlen’s Stadium for three consecutive games beginning next Saturday against Antigua Barracuda FC at 7 p.m.