Rhinos Continue Strong Form at Home

Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com

Saturday, June 11, 2011

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos welcomed the Harrisburg City Islanders to Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday night. Kendall Jagdeosignh’s 65th minute goal was enough to lift the Rhinos over the Islanders catapulting Rochester past the Los Angeles Blues (17 points) into first place in the National Division with 18 points.

The first half saw both teams struggle early to generate any consistency on the attack. Both teams managed just seven total shots during the first 45 minutes of play.

Rochester’s best scoring opportunities came in the 33rd minute when defender TJ Gore blasted a shot from the side of the 18, putting it high over the bar. Two minutes later midfielder Tony Donatelli had an opportunity from near the penalty area but watched with similar results.

The start of the second half witnessed much of the same until midfielder JC Banks managed to elude Harrisburg’s Andrew Welker in the 62nd minute to place a shot that goalkeeper Phil Tuttle stopped easily. Rochester continued to pressure in the 65th minute when Jagdeosingh ran onto a ball played deep into Islander territory. The Trinidadian forward used his speed, tallying his second goal of the season unassisted to put the Rhinos up 1-0.

“We didn’t play with enough determination during the first half which cost us some opportunities” said Jagdeosignh. “In the second half we definitely played with much more energy.”

Rochester’s Andrew Hoxie nearly added an insurance goal in the 87th minute turning on a ball just outside of the 18. Hoxie managed to turn, getting a right foot on a hard shot that Tuttle had to be sharp to stop.

Rochester’s defense clamped down the rest of the way holding off a late Harrisburg surge. Rochester netminder Neal Kitson’s diving save on Jason Pelletier late preserved his fourth shutout of the season.

“We didn’t play our best game tonight” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. “We played well enough however to get a win in front of the home crowd.”

The Rhinos will put their unbeaten home record (3-0-2) on the line on Tuesday night when they host Phoenix SC in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup tournament on Tuesday, June 14 beginning at 7:35 p.m.