Rochester Rhinos NEws Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Friday, March 21, 2014
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos have agreed to terms with five more players for the 2014 season. The Rhinos have added forwards Alex Dixon and Colin Rolfe, defender Pat McMahon, returning goalkeeper Brandon Miller, and midfielder Mike Garzi. All five players have been on trial with Rochester since the beginning of preseason on March 1, 2014. Terms and conditions of the contracts will not be released. All five contracts are pending USL and USSF approval.
“We kick off the 2014 season in Orlando on April 5th, so it's time to start finalizing our roster for the upcoming season,” Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. “We've had a chance to evaluate these five players thoroughly over the past three weeks, and we have been able to develop a good idea of how each one of these players will be able to help us this season.”
Dixon is coming to Rochester after spending three years with the Houston Dynamo (MLS). Last year, he started against Stoke City in the Dynamo Charities Cup as well as making appearances in both first team and reserve games. He also started eight of 10 games for the Dynamo Reserves. In 2012, he helped the Dynamo Reserves win the Reserve League division title tallying two goals and three assists. As a rookie in 2011, Dixon scored a game-winning goal in stoppage time against Real Salt Lake. Before signing with Houston as a homegrown player, Dixon spent three years as a standout with the University of North Carolina where he helped the Tar Heels reach the NCAA College Cup all three years.
Rolfe was drafted with the No. 18 overall selection by the Houston Dynamo in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. He did not debut with the first team, but did make nine appearances – with two starts – with the Dynamo Reserves in 2012. At the University of Louisville, he was named a finalist for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy as the nation’s top player in 2010. He appeared in 87 career games, starting 79, and finished with 33 goals and 21 assists for a total of 84 points.
McMahon played with the Swedish club Ljungskile SK during the 2012-13 season after playing for the previous two seasons in Australia. During his collegiate career at the University of Illinois at Chicago, McMahon started in every game during his four year career and holds the school record for consecutive starts at 85.
Miller is returning to the Rhinos for this third year. Miller was the back-up goalkeeper to Kristian Nicht in 2011 and 2012. Last season in USL PRO Miller recorded two wins, one of which was a shutout of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Garzi played previously for Colgate University and the New England Force. At Colgate, Garzi was a standout midfielder who made appearances in 71 games for the Raiders. He notched 16 points on four goals and eight assists during his collegiate career.
The Rochester Rhinos continue their preseason schedule this weekend. On Sunday afternoon, Rochester hosts Cornell University at 4 p.m. The game is open to the public and admission is free.
Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are currently available, and they can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.