Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

ROCHESTER, NY -- The Rhinos returned to action Tuesday night at Marina Auto Stadium as they hosted the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL-2 in a U.S. Open Cup First Round game. They would escape by means of penalty kicks after coming back from a goal down in regulation to tie the game and force overtime. The score ended 1-1 in regulation and 4-2 in penalties.

Although Rochester enjoyed most of the possession to start the game, the Riverhounds struck first through defender Tenywa Bonseu, a former Rhino. Pittsburgh was awarded a free kick and Bonseu found the end of the cross at the far post, laying out with the sliding volley to give his team a one-goal lead 22 minutes into the first half. With the Rhinos pressing for an equalizer but coming up empty-handed, they would head into the halftime interval down 1-0.

Two minutes into the second half, Rochester was given a free kick after a handball by a Riverhound defender just outside the penalty area. Midfielder Tiger Fitzpatrick, who came on as a substitute at halftime, stepped up to the spot but his shot was blocked by the wall.

After a Pittsburgh handball led to another Rhinos free kick in the 61st minute, Fitzpatrick crossed into the box and when the Riverhounds couldn’t clear the ball out, it fell to forward Mauricio Salles, but the shot went high over the crossbar.

Fitzpatrick was given a chance four minutes later when midfielder Chris Nurse laid a shot off for him but his attempt on goal was put wide left.

The Rhinos were given a lifeline when Bonseu was handed his second yellow card of the game in the 72nd minute, thus resulting in a red card and ejection. The Rhinos now began to push and force the issue with Pittsburgh now playing a man down for the rest of the match.

In the 81st minute, midfielder Mike Ambersley played a cross from the left end-line finding the head of midfielder Andrew Lorei, but the attempt was saved by Riverhound goalkeeper Danny Waltman and cleared out by one of his defenders.

Five minutes later, defender Kenney Bertz found himself with a chance from outside the penalty area but his volley was hit wide left of the target.

The Rhinos would finally break through and tie the game in stoppage time when forward Tai Atieno found the end of Ambersley’s corner kick and headed into the net. The goal is his second of the season, giving him six points for the year. The score would stay even at 1-1 at the end of regulation and the teams headed to overtime.

Twelve minutes into the first overtime interval, Salles was given a golden chance to put Rochester ahead but his flick off of an Ambersley cross was just wide of the net.

Three minutes later, Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow made a diving save to his right on a Pittsburgh shot to send the teams to the second interval still tied.

Just a minute from the end of the second overtime period, Salles was fouled in the penalty area giving the Rhinos a penalty kick. Atieno stepped up for the spot, but his shot went off of the crossbar and over the goal. The score would stay tied and the teams would head to penalties to break the tie.

Atieno stepped up first for the Rhinos and his penalty kick hit the crossbar once again. Pittsburgh defender Edward Hayden put his in, putting them ahead 1-0 after both teams took their first penalty.

Rhinos midfielder Andrew Gregor made his shot after putting the ball into the right side-netting, while Riverhounds defender Nathan Salsi’s kick was saved by Vallow. After two shots each, the teams were tied at 1-1.

Bertz slotted his home to the left side and Vallow saved the next Pittsburgh kick, diving to his left but punching midfielder Justin Evan’s shot out to put the Rhinos ahead 2-1.

Salles scored his on the left side and midfielder Allan Brown would put his in as well, giving Fitzpatrick a chance to seal the game if he were to make it. Fitzpatrick stepped up and his shot would go off the crossbar and in, giving the Rhinos a 4-2 victory in penalties and sending them through to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

With the victory, Vallow ties Billy Andracki and Pat Onstad for most Open Cup wins in team history with six. He finished the game with six saves.

The Rhinos will host the second round match at Marina Auto Stadium next Tuesday, June 16th at 7 p.m., where they will face the Cleveland City Stars. Rochester will travel to Cleveland for their next league game this Saturday night. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh returns to USL-2 play on Thursday night when they host the Bermuda Hogges at Chartiers Valley Stadium.  The Hounds remain home for a Sunday night match versus the Richmond Kickers.