Long Island Rough Riders News Release - www.liroughriders.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY -- The Long Island Rough Riders men’s team saw their 2009 season come to an end on Wednesday night with a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Ocean City Barons in the first round of the PDL playoffs.

With the Barons playing a defensive-minded 5-4-1 formation, the Rough Riders took it to them in the first half, firing 11 shots at Ocean City goaltender Tunde Ogunbiyi.

The 23rd minute was the turning point in the match as Rough Riders forward Mike Palacio had an opportunity in deep, but his shot rolled just wide. Moments later, Barons forward Byron Carmichael volleyed a free kick and then pounced on a loose ball to give the visitors a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Rough Riders goalkeeper Hasely Thorne Holder last-ditch dive could not prevent the ball from slipping across the goal line.

Eight minutes later the Rough Riders would get another chance to get on the board when Pavelid Castaneda’s cross deflected back to him but his rebound hit the side of the net.

The second half saw more of the same with an increased amount of pressure on the Rough Riders to equalize. For each opportunity they created, the Barons defense and Ogunbiyi was there to squash it.

A loose ball in the 73rd minute atop the Rough Riders goal box fell to the feet of Barons midfielder Rory McCrea who fired it past a stretched out Holder gave Ocean City their second goal of the match and a comfortable lead with under 20 minutes remaining.

Desperation set in for the Rough Riders in the final 15 minutes, but again Ogunbiyi and the Barons kept them off the board. Michael Todd had a golden chance for the Rough Riders when in the 83rd minute when his toe-poke trickled wide of the net. It was the Rough Riders best and last goal scoring chance of the night.

With the victory, Ocean City will now travel to play the undefeated Ottawa Fury on Saturday night for the right to advance to the PDL Final Eight.