Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The U.S. Open Cup tournament began across the country on Tuesday night and included for the 16th consecutive season was the Rochester Rhinos. Rochester welcomed Phoenix SC of Pennsylvania to Sahlen’s Stadium for their first round clash. Goals by JC Banks and Anthony Hamilton were enough to power the Rhinos to a 2-1 victory against the Majors and into the second round.
Rochester held the majority of possession during the first half and nearly struck first when Tyler Rosenlund drove the ball into the box as Tyler Bellamy moved in to get a head on the ball. The ball appeared as if it might find the net however Phoenix SC defender Jack Pocorobba cleared the ball off the line keeping the match scoreless.
The 27th minute saw the Rhinos open the scoring as Max Ferdinand sent Rosenlund wide. The Vancouver native dribbled around a defender to find rookie JC Banks in front of the net. Banks redirected the shot past a diving Tony Praticio for a 1-0 Rochester lead. Banks nearly doubled the Rhino's lead to begin the second half when Ferdinand carried the ball down low into the box, sending a cross to the rookie forward. Banks’ right-footed volley toward the far post was swallowed up by Praticio.
In the 54th minute the Rhinos were awarded a penalty kick after Ferdinand was fouled in the box by goalkeeper Practicio while on a breakaway. Anthony Hamilton converted the penalty shot low and to the right giving the Rhinos a 2-0 advantage. Practicio was given a yellow card for the challenge.
The right foot of Ferdinand set up Rich Costanzo on a similar play but the defender’s header caromed off the crossbar in the 50th minute. Rochester’s Michael Tanke had an opportunity to make the score 3-0 in the 62nd. Tanke took a through-ball, eluding a defender on the run, firing a low hard shot wide of the net.
After a battle for possession in the Rhino defensive box during the 71st minute, Scott Rowling of Phoenix found the ball at his feet and fired a low liner past the diving save attempt of Rhino keeper Ryan Kenny cutting the deficit to a score of 2-1. Just minutes later the visitors threatened to tie the score, but Kenny came off his line, cutting off the Phoenix attack as he cleared the ball out of the box with a sliding tackle. That was the last significant threat of the game and the Rhinos eliminated Phoenix from the tournament.
In the game’s waning moments Rochester almost added an insurance goal as Hamilton fired a left-footer that Praticio was sharp to stop and then watched as they rebound deflected off the crossbar.
"We learned some things today and overall it was OK. I think at 2-0 we need to manage that better and not let them back in it, but there were some positives for some guys that needed minutes today and I am happy that we got the result."
The Rhinos held off Phoenix in the final minutes to advance to the second round of U.S. Open Cup play. Rochester will take on Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 from Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.