Rochester Rhinos acquire Ravens
Friday, October 28, 2005
ROCHESTER, NY -- The Rochester Sports Group announced today the addition of the Rochester Ravens W-League team. The Ravens join the Rochester Raging Rhinos (United Soccer Leagues First Division), Rochester Rattlers (MLL), Rochester Americans (AHL), and Rochester Knighthawks (NLL).
The Ravens are currently members of the USL W-League and will remain in the Eastern Conference Northern Division for the 2006 season. The W-League remains the top women’s league in existence, as the WUSA works towards a possible re-launch.
“The Rhinos organization can help take the Ravens to the next level of women’s soccer,” commented Jill McCabe, Owner of the Ravens. “The Ravens need some new blood and we’re excited about the potential to bring in some great players and be a part of PAETEC Park.”
The Ravens’ 14-game schedule will include seven home games played at PAETEC Park, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2006. “The addition of the Ravens shows the true value of having a multi-purpose sport and entertainment venue that the Ravens, Rhinos, and Rattlers can call home,” said Rhinos President Frank DuRoss.
“We’re very excited about the purchase,” said Rhinos General Manager Chris Economides. “Jill has done a tremendous job keeping the franchise together over the past 10 years.”
The Ravens have been a part of the W-League since 1996 and had two local high school standouts on the 1998 team in Abby Wambach and Casey Zimney. The team owns the W-League record for the largest single game attendance when they hosted the United States Women’s National Team in a 1997 exhibition match at SUNY Brockport’s Special Olympic Stadium. The crowd of 9,131 fans watched the Ravens take on the 1996 Gold Medal Olympic team as they prepared for the World Cup.
“With the combination of a brand new soccer stadium, the Rhinos’ expertise in running a soccer franchise, and one of the most knowledgeable and passionate soccer markets on the continent, we have every reason to believe this team will make a major splash on the national women’s soccer scene in 2006,” said USL Vice President Tim Holt.
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