Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Friday, August 26, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –The Harrisburg City Islanders took a hard-fought victory against the Rochester Rhinos in the USL PRO National Division Final at Sahlen's Stadium on Friday night, taking a 2-1 victory in a game that saw both teams have players sent off.
Harrisburg opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Stephen Basso's shot from 25 yards deflected off a Rhinos defender, leaving goalkeeper Neal Kitson helpless to make the save. Harrisburg had another opportunity minutes later but Kitson was able to corral Sainey Touray's scoring chance.
A series of hard challenges, one resulting in an injury to Rochester forward Isaac Kissi, caused tempers to flare and the ejections of Harrisburg's Andrew Marshall and the Rhinos Tony Donatelli. Minutes later Harrisburg's Anthony Calvano was cautioned after taking down Kitson.
With the first half winding down Harrisburg took a two-goal advantage when David Schofield broke in alone on Kitson. Schofield's shot was deflected by Kitson but could not prevent the goal and a 2-0 score.
Hostilities continued, this time as Harrisburg's Brian Ombiji took Rochester's Connor Tobin into the advertising boards and was promptly ejected for his actions in the 42nd minute.
Up 10 men to nine, Rochester's Kissi managed to capitalize on the depleted Harrisburg lineup by running on to a Tyler Rosenlund through-ball and raced past the City Islanders defense for his second goal of the postseason to make the score 2-1 at the break.
At the conclusion of the first half Harrisburg coach Bill Becher was escorted off the field, and was not to return for the remainder of the match.
Rochester nearly tied the match in the 57th minute as Drew Cost's back-post cross just missed Kissi and Troy Roberts. The Rhinos continued to apply pressure as Rosenlund's 18-yard blast was stopped by Chase Harrison with JC Banks bearing down on the rebound. The 69th minute saw Rich Costanzo send a precise cross into the penalty area where second-half sub Andrew Hoxie's redirection from three yards was just wide. The near-misses continued for Rochester as Banks found Hoxie with a golden opportunity but couldn't connect on an awkward shot in the 72nd.
Despite the constant pressure the Islanders were able to hold off the Rhinos to capture a hard-fought 2-1 win and advance to the USL Pro Final next week against the winner of Saturday night’s American Division Final between the Richmond Kickers and Orlando City at the Florida Citrus Bowl.