Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Thursday, November 3, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos have agreed to terms with starting goalkeeper Neal Kitson for the 2012 season. Kitson joined the team in 2010, and he became the Rhinos starting goalkeeper half-way through the 2010 regular season. In two years with the club Kitson has 21 wins, 16 clean sheets, and a 0.875 goals-against average. He was named to the USL PRO All-League Second Team and was a finalist for the USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year Award after the 2011 season. 
Kitson signed his first professional contract with the Rochester Rhinos in 2010. Kitson became the Rhinos starting keeper after he supplanted Scott Vallow in the middle of the 2010 season. Kitson ended up starting a total of seventeen matches during the 2010 season. He posted a 9-6-2 record as a starter, kept seven clean sheets, and made sixty-one saves. Kitson’s 0.79 regular season goals-against average ranks fourth in Rhinos history. He also started both of Rochester’s playoff matches and one U.S. Open Cup match.
After Vallow’s retirement in the off-season, Neal Kitson entered the Rhinos 2011 campaign as the team’s undisputed starting keeper. He played 23 of the Rhinos 24 USL PRO matches. He tied for first in USL PRO in goalkeeper wins (12), finished second in games played and clean sheets (9), and finished third in saves (76). Kitson posted a 0.956 goals-against average – the ninth best goals-against average in team history. In recognition of his efforts Kitson joined Rhinos captain Troy Roberts on the USL PRO All-League Second Team. It was the first major postseason honor of his professional career.
“We’re happy to have Neal back with us for the 2012 season.” Rhinos coach Jesse Myers said. “Both sides worked diligently to get this deal done. He’s an important part of our defensive unit, and we’re excited to have him back.”
Kitson started in goal for two years at St. John’s University. During his senior year in 2008, he led the nation with a 0.48 goals-against average. He anchored a Red Storm defense that won the Big East Championship and reached the 2008 NCAA College Cup. He ended up posting 15 clean sheets in 24 matches. Kitson was drafted by Kansas City in the third round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He was not offered a contract by Kansas City after doctors discovered a significant injury during his medical evaluation.
Kitson will be rejoining center backs Roberts and Tyler Bellamy at the heart of the Rhinos defense in 2012. The Rhinos exercised their contractual option on Bellamy and agreed to terms with Roberts last month. The trio anchored a Rhinos defense that had the third-best goals against record in USL PRO, and the best goals against record in USL PRO at home.