Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Saturday, August 13, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- After a 90-minute rain delay the Rochester Rhinos played host to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the final regular season match of the season for both teams. A second-half goal by Rich Costanzo proved the difference as the Rhinos closed out the regular season with a 1-0 win.
The win snaps a two-game losing streak for Rochester, however Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley thinks the Rhinos can still get better.
“We did control the tempo. I would have liked to get behind them a bit more,” said Lilley. “I think we played fairly positive to get higher up the pitch but we left our defenders isolated. We need to find the right balance between the attack and defense. Our shape was a bit loose.”
The ninth minute saw the Rhinos develop their first chance when Tony Donatelli played a ball out wide to 2011 team Most Valuable Player Tyler Rosenlund, who let a blast go that was stopped by Hunter Gilstrap’s diving save.
JC Banks continued the Rhino pressure early on putting a move on a Riverhound defender before letting a screen-shot go to the near-post that Gilstrap gobbled up. Drew Cost nearly connected in the 19th minute after a corner kick was headed out of the penalty area. Cost’s left-footed volley was on goal but was hit right at Gilstrap from 20 yards.
Rochester had several quality chances that couldn’t quite connect. In the 40th minute Troy Roberts corralled a pass from Donatelli, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Pittsburgh meanwhile managed just one shot on goal during the first 45 minutes of play.
Rochester broke the scoreless deadlock in the 63rd minute on Costanzo’s second goal of the season. Donatelli played a ball up the left flank to Banks who broke in toward goal. Banks fed Costanzo in the center of the penalty area and the midfielder converted the pass from 12 yards.
“I saw the space and JC came forward,” said Costanzo. “I knew to make a run into the box and I was hoping he would cut it back and he did.”
Both of Costanzo’s goals this season came against the Riverhounds.
“It means a little bit more," he said. "I know a lot of the guys, I know the coaching staff and that is my hometown, so it’s always nice to play well in front of those guys.”
Moments later Isaac Kissi nearly made it 2-0 blasting a shot over the crossbar.
Rochester goalkeeper Neal Kitson preserved the clean sheet in stoppage time when his diving save negeted a 25-yard blast off the foot of Niko Katic. Kitson earned his third shutout of the season against Pittsburgh and fourth in a row over the Riverhounds.
The two teams will meet again next Friday, August 19th in the divisional semifinals of the USL PRO playoffs at Sahlen’s Stadium. Kickoff for the match is slated for 7:30 p.m.