F.C. New York News Release -- www.fcnewyorksoccer.com
Sunday, July 7, 2011
QUEENS, N.Y. - F.C. New York beat the Rochester Rhinos 2-1 in its final home game of the season thanks to strikers Jhonny Arteaga and Christian Turizo. Isaac Kissi scored for Rochester, which remains in first place in the National Division despite the loss.
New York came out strong and nearly got off the mark in the opening minutes, as Arteaga had a shot saved by Rochester goalie Neal Kitson.
Good interplay from Tadeu Terra and Don Smart led to the first goal for New York in the 17th minute. Terra controlled the ball along the left sideline 30 yards from goal, cutting inside and feeding Smart at the top of the box. He flicked the ball on to Arteaga, who touched the ball onto his left foot and ripped it past Kitson at the near post. It was the 12th goal of the season for the Colombian in all competitions, his ninth in USL Pro.
Central defenders Kyle Hoffer and Karsten Smith kept the Rhinos in check in the first half, with goalkeeper Thorne Holder only having to make one save.
New York would strike again just before halftime thanks to an error from Kitson. Terra sent in the corner kick from the left side towards the far post, only to see the Rochester goalie let the ball slip out of his hands. Turizo found himself unmarked six yards out and watched the ball drop to his feet, hitting it first time into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 in the 43rd minute.
The Rhinos managed their lone goal in the 71st minute thanks to a good individual effort from Kissi. The forward flicked the ball past Hoffer with the outside of his left foot 25 yards from goal, running onto it and taking a touch in the box before finishing low past Holder to the far post.
The win moves New York to 22 points (5-11-7) in its inaugural season, where it will finish in fifth place no matter the result against Dayton on Wednesday. Rochester sits in first place with 37 points (11-8-4) with one game remaining. The top four teams in each division will make the playoffs.