Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

ROCHESTER, NY -- Rochester Raging Rhinos forward Matthew Delicâte scored the lone goal and goalkeeper Chase Harrison recorded nine saves in the Rhinos' 1-0 win over the Long Island Rough Riders tonight in the first game of the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at PAETEC Park.

Delicâte's goal came in the 20th minute off of a nice cross from midfielder Stephen Shirley-Black. Delicâte was parked in front of the net around the six yard box and was able to head in the Shirley-Black pass. The goal was the fifth in the last six games for the Rhino Englishman.

"I went in to the net and jumped and just kind of flicked it behind me," said Delicâte on his goal.

Though that was the lone goal, both goaltkeepers had plenty of action and were called upon often to come up with key saves. The Rough Riders will look back to two missed opportunities in the 15th minute that proved costly. A corner kick sent into the penalty area was headed on goal where Harrison was nowhere to be found, but midfielder Danny Kramer was there to save the day, at least momentarily. Just seconds later, Harrison had to make a point blank save from the left side of the 18 yard box which was one of his many great saves in the game.

In the 40th minute, Harrison shined yet again. Rough Rider forward Mike Palacio launched a strong left foot from about 25 yards out but Harrison dove to his left to punch it away. One minute later, Palacio had another opportunity from 20 yards out, but Harrison was there again to keep it a 1-0 game.

Rochester had its share of chances in the first half, but most of them missed the target. In the 13th minute, midfielder Kevin Burns made a nice pass to Kramer just inside the penalty area, but his shot sailed over the net. Shortly after, forward Rey Martinez stretched to get a right foot on the ball from about 10 yards out, but his shot was also too high.

Martinez had a glorious opportunity in the 30th minute as the ball came to him off a rebound and he fired a strong right foot from a step outside the 18 yard box, but Long Island keeper Tim Melia was in position and made the save.

The second half saw chance after chance for Rhino midfielder Johnny Menyongar. In the 50th minute, he sent a missle toward the goal but it rang off the left post from about 25 yards out. In the 64th minute, Menyongar took a nice touch pass from Delicâte but his 20-yard attempt was stopped by Melia.

The Rough Rider keeper made his best save in the 67th minute against, who else, Menyongar. The Liberian forward was left wide open a few steps inside the 18-yard box and the ball came to him after Melia made a first save. Menyongar then one-timed a strong right foot but Melia dove to his left to make a great save that left Menyongar in disbelief. Melia ended the game with five saves.

From the 83rd to the 85th minutes, it was a rollercoaster of emotions for Menyongar. He was stopped again by Melia on a 20-yard attempt in the 83rd, then shot it wide in the 84th. He appeared to be "Johnny on the spot" in the 85th minute when he leaped and got a head over the sprawling Melia and into the net. Unfortunately for Menyongar and the Rhinos, there was a flag up for off-side.

After three games in five nights, Rochester Head Coach Laurie Calloway noticed that his players were feeling some negative effects.

"Well there was certainly some fatigue factor in this one," he explained. "Especially after the performance they put in against Portland (Saturday night)."

Rochester resumes its regular season Sunday, June 17th at 6 p.m. when it hosts the Charleston Battery at PAETEC Park. This will be the second of two games between the two teams this season; the first of which came back on May 6th when the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. The game will be a Kids' Dollar Day. All children 12 and under will be admitted to the match for just $1.