Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos maintained their undefeated home record on Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium as they earned a 0-0 draw against Orlando City. Rochester entered the match on a two-game home winning streak in which they failed to surrender a goal each time. Neither team however was able to establish an edge in a match-up featuring two of the league’s top teams. Rochester earned its third straight home shutout to open the season as goal keeper Neil Kitson ran his streak of scoreless minutes to 272.
After 25 minutes of play which saw the two teams battle evenly, Orlando seemed to gain some momentum taking play to the Rhinos. Rochester began to mount pressure in the 28th minute as JC Banks launched a deep throw in from the right sideline into the Orlando City penalty area. Tyler Rosenlund found himself in perfect position to put a shot on goal from the 12 yards out, but just pushed his shot over the crossbar. Orlando City also nearly scored in the 32nd minute off a corner taken by Lewis Neal. The ball trickled out to Yordany Alvarez who hit a laser from 18 yards that was blocked by the Rhino’s defense and cleared out of bounds.
Alvarez again had a great chance in front of the Rochester net, this time in the 34th minute, but ripped a shot that Kitson denied with a diving save. Moments later Kieron Bernard was unsuccessful on his attempt that went just over the crossbar.
Neither team was able to manage quality scoring chances the rest of the first half as the first 45 minutes ended scoreless. Tensions started to run high in the second half as fouls and yellow cards mounted. A collision at midfield in the 67th minute resulted in Rhinos defender Connor Tobin being forced from the match and Rochester’s Banks and Orlando’s Kevin Molino receiving yellow cards.
In the 83rd minute, Rochester’s Andrew Hoxie snuck through the middle of the Lion defense but the final Orlando defender was able to just clear the ball out of bounds leading to a Rhino corner. Tyler Ballamy got a decent look at goal off the corner kick, but Orlando City keeper Miguel Gallardo was there to make the save.
In the 86th minute Orlando City’s Lewis Neal had his free kick blocked by a Rhino defender, setting up an Orlando corner. The Lions had two decent looks at goal off the corner, but Kitson and the Rhinos defense stood strong and held the score at 0-0.
“I think we played pretty well defensively” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. “Orlando was good tonight however. They played physical and didn’t give us a lot of room.”