Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Thursday, May 19, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos will bring their two-game home winning streak into Friday night’s match against Orlando City at Sahlen’s Stadium. Kickoff for the match is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The first meeting of the season between the two teams, Orlando is in their first season in Central Florida after competing in 2010 as the Austin Aztex. Rochester and Austin battled the entire season with the Rhinos finally overtaking the Aztex at the end of the season to win the USSF Division 2-Pro League regular season championship.
This season Orlando City ranks third overall in the league with 16 points (5-1-1) behind Richmond (19 pts) and Antigua (18 pts). Last season’s Division 2 Rookie of the Year Maxwell Griffin has picked up where he left off, leading the squad with five goals and 10 points. Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo has posted four shutouts in seven appearances between the pipes this season. Former Rhino forward Ian Fuller has appeared in six matches for Orlando and also serves as their assistant coach.
Rochester meanwhile is coming off their second consecutive home win and are 11-3-3 over the past two seasons at Sahlen’s Stadium. Rookie JC Banks leads Rochester with four points, including assists on both Rhino goals last weekend against Antigua. Currently they are chasing the Los Angeles Blues who lead the American Division with 13 points, four ahead of Rochester. Rochester’s Neal Kitson has recorded back-to-back shutouts in goal and has not allowed a goal in 182 consecutive minutes.
“Even though they are in a new city we feel like we know this team pretty well” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. "What we know is they are going to come here and compete hard and we need to be ready to play.”