Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Rhinos host the Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL PRO National Division Final on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Rhinos advanced to the division final with a 4-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Friday night as Tyler Rosenlund, Tony Donatelli, Isaac Kissi, and Drew Cost all scored goals for Rochester while keeper Neal Kitson kept a clean sheet. The City Islanders advanced to the division final with a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Blues. Midfielder Andrew Welker scored two first-half goals and Brian Ombiji recorded what proved to be the game-winner in the 52nd minute.
Rochester has the third-best defensive record in USL PRO this season. The Rhinos have been even better at Sahlen’s Stadium where they have the league’s second-best home record and the best home defensive record. Goalkeeper Neal Kitson has led the way, compiling a 13-8-4 record with 10 shutouts and a 0.958 goals-against average in the regular season and postseason combined. Rhinos captain Troy Roberts paired up with first-year defender Connor Tobin at center back for the first time last Friday night against Pittsburgh. Tobin, who played overseas with Nybergsund Il-Trysil (NOR) before joining Rochester, has been excellent in the air in his 15 appearances for the club this season.
After finishing eighth in USL PRO in goals scored during the regular season, the Rhinos matched their franchise record for margin of victory in a playoff game with their 4-0 victory against the Riverhounds. Forward Isaac Kissi has scored two goals and added one assist over the last five matches. Kissi was the team’s offensive player of the year in 2010, and appears to be returning to form after undergoing a corrective heart procedure on June 1st. Rookie JC Banks (3 goals, 6 assists) and veteran Tony Donatelli (5 goals, 4 assists) have been offensive catalysts for the team coming out of midfield this year. The Rhinos are 10-1-2 when either player appears on the score sheet. Midfielder Drew Cost has also been involved in the attack recently with two goals in the last five matches.
The City Islanders enter the USL PRO National Division Final with the league’s second-best scoring record. The City Islanders attack is led by Sainey Touray and Andrew Welker. Touray has seven goals and six assists up top while midfielder Welker has eight goals. The team’s leading scorer, Jose Angulo (nine goals, three assists), has come on as a substitute in the last four matches after leaving the July 30th match against Wilmington in the 61st minute. Angulo still managed to score the winning goal in the City Islanders' 1-0 win against Charlotte on August 10th after coming on as a substitute.
Harrisburg and Rochester split their two USL PRO regular season meetings this year. Harrisburg defeated the Rhinos 1-0 in their home opener on May 10th. Rochester outshot Harrisburg 11 to seven, but Jose Angulo scored the only goal of the contest in the 26th minute to give Harrisburg the victory. The Rhinos were able to defeat the City Islanders by the same 1-0 scoreline in Rochester on June 11th. Kendall Jagdeosingh scored the game-winning goal in the 65th minute for Rochester.
The teams also met in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in Harrisburg. Donatelli scored the game-winning goal on a 90th-minute penalty and Kitson made seven saves, including a few of the spectacular variety, to give the Rhinos a 1-0 victory on June 21st.
The winner of the USL PRO National Division final will play the winner of the American Division Final in either Orlando or Richmond on Saturday, September 3rd at 7 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on FOX Soccer.