USL PRO Game Report
Friday, July 11, 2014
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos defeated FC Dallas Reserves 3-0 at Sahlen's Stadium on Friday night as goals by JC Banks, Colin Rolfe and Alec Sundly earned victory that allowed Rochester to snap a three-game winless streak. Rhinos rookie goalkeeper John McCarthy earned his eighth shutout in 14 career starts for Rochester as the Rhinos solidified fifth place in the USL PRO standings.
Rochester opened the scoring in in the 21st minute when Jonny Mendo'/za received the ball on the right flank and served the ball into the box. Banks made a near-post run, but left the ball to set up striker Rolfe for a blistering first-time shot on goal. FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez made a reflex save at point-blank range to deny Rolfe, but Banks spun off his initial run and was there to tap in the rebound for his sixth goal of the season.
Rochester doubled its advantage in the 31st minute as Alex Dixon led a counter-attack down the left flank, only to be fouled 40 yards from goal. Sundly served the ensuing free kick into the Reserves box from 40 yards out on the left flank . Rhinos center back Babacar Diallo won a header 15 yards out on the right side of the penalty area that found Rolfe on the left post, and he hit home a volley from 12 yards. The goal was Rolfe's first league goal of the season. He had previously scored in three of the Rhinos' four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches including the upset victory over D.C. United.
The FC Dallas Reserves had their best chance of the second half in the 65th minute when attacking midfielder Danny Garcia was played through on the left side of the Rhinos penalty area. After taking two aggressive touches toward goal Garcia played a cheeky back heel to Hollingshead who was behind him. Hollingshead approached the ball and hit his shot to the far post but, Rochester Rhinos rookie goalkeeper John McCarthy dove to his left to parry it away. The rebound found FC Dallas right midfielder Jonathan Top at the top of the Rhinos box, and he hit the bouncing ball with a half volley on goal, but McCarthy was already back on his feet to smother the shot.
United closed out the game in the 87th minute, when Rochester's Lance Rozeboom picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch 35 yards out. Rozeboom carried the ball to the top of the penalty area before he played a delicate through ball to Sundly on the left side of the FC Dallas box. Sundly took his first touch away from a Reserves defender, settled the ball with his second touch, and then finished past Gonzalez. The goal was Sundly's first as a professional.
McCarthy made three saves for his seventh clean sheet in 11 league starts this season.
The Rhinos next home match is Saturday, July 2014 at 7:05 p.m. against the Wilmington Hammerheads. Tickets for any match on the Rhinos home schedule will be available by by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are also currently available.