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Renovations Leave Owners, Players Pleased in Rhinos' Return

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/24/16, 12:08AM EDT

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Victory caps an almost-perfect day for new owners David and Wendy Dworkin


Photo courtesy Kristen Stacy / Rochester Rhinos

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – It wasn’t absolutely perfect, but within the 45 days new Rochester Rhinos owners David and Wendy Dworkin had to work with it was never going to be absolutely perfect as they welcomed fans to Rhinos Stadium for the first home game of a new era.

What it was, though, was a beautiful, sun-drenched day that provided a perfect backdrop to a Rhinos victory, and the perfect setting for the city’s soccer fans to acquaint themselves with an upgraded version of “business as usual.”

“It was a little surreal, when I was walking around after the national anthem, I was looking around and realized these people were all here to root on the Rhinos and root on their home team,” said David Dworkin after the game. “To see it all happen, it’s really refreshing.”

The new video board, one of the first upgrades to go in, impressed fans on social media seeing it in action for the first time, and while not all of the new concession stands were open, the goal is that more and more new features will be unveiled over the course of the Rhinos’ four-game home stand that continues next Saturday against the Harrisburg City Islanders.

One of the other major upgrades had less to do with the fans, and more to do with the action on the field, as the new playing surface that was installed got great reviews from the Rhinos’ players.

“This is a great surface for us,” said Rhinos forward Christian Volesky. “We can play more football on the pitch. … The organization as a whole has gone in a whole new direction for us, and we’re excited for it.”

It wasn’t completely smooth sailing for Coach Bob Lilley’s side on the new surface, as the team had some nervous moments. The most notable came early in the second half when visitors and rivals FC Montreal took the lead after an uncharacteristic defensive error.

The Rhinos righted the ship quickly enough, however, as Volesky scored twice in quick succession to put the hosts on top, and from there the side did enough to extend its USL undefeated streak at Rhinos Stadium to 20 games.

With three points in hand, and a big contingent of happy fans heading out, hopefully to return a week from now in greater numbers, it wasn’t absolutely perfect. On Saturday night, though, it was definitely perfect enough.

“It was nice to see people in the stands, sun shining, people having a great time, kids in the bounce house and coming so far and knowing the best is ahead of us,” said Wendy Dworkin. “I think it went really well.”