Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

ROCHESTER, NY -- The Rochester Rhinos left Marina Auto Stadium on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division. The win pushed the Rhinos into the U.S. Open Cup tournament semifinals for the third time in club history.

Rochester began the match controlling the pace of play and earning the better scoring chances early on. Rochester’s first quality chance came in the 11th minute when defender John Ball took a throw-in deep in the Wilmington half. His throw was put into the box to midfielder Nano Short who got onto the end of it but his attempted bicycle kick was put high and wide of the net.

Five minutes later, the Rhinos were awarded a free kick at the top of the penalty area. Midfielder Andrew Gregor had a good look on goal but placed his shot just over the crossbar.

In the 21st minute, midfielder Mike Ambersley found the end of a long ball played into the Wilmington box. His header dropped right in front of the goal where midfielder Ryan Heins ran onto it but couldn’t control the quick bounce and his shot sailed over the net. The two sides went into the halftime interval with no goals accounted for.

Three minutes into the second half, the Rhinos tried to take advantage of a corner kick opportunity when forward Jonny Menyongar was played a ball into the box from a short chip from Gregor. Menyongar beat his defender and crossed to midfielder Tiger Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick headed on goal but two Wilmington defenders helped to block the attempt on the goal-line and keep the game scoreless.

Rochester kept pressing and would break through in the 54th minute. Ambersley had time to set up for a cross and picked out Atieno with a perfect ball for the forward to head home and give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead.

Menyongar came close to adding to his team’s lead in the 58th minute when Ball cut past his defender at the end-line and laid a cross to the middle. Menyongar dove out for a header but it was placed just outside the near post.

Nine minutes later, Ambersley was pulled down in the penalty area and the Rhinos were awarded a penalty kick. Gregor stepped up to the spot and slotted the spot kick to the right, doubling Rochester’s advantage in the 67th minute.

Wilmington got a goal back through forward Jamie Watson in the 72nd minute after he kept his composure to beat a couple of Rhinos defender. He then placed the ball to the right side of the net and Rochester goalkeeper Tim Melia got a hand to it but it wasn’t enough.

Menyongar had another great chance in the 79th minute, just missing on a header from a cross from Heins. Heins stormed by his defender down the left side and Menyongar got a head to it but put it inches over the crossbar.

After a couple saves by Melia and a strong defensive effort to close the game, the Rhinos held on for the victory. Rochester will advance to face D.C. United in the tournament semifinals on either July 21 or 22 from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. The Rhinos are 0-3 against D.C. in Open Cup play. Kickoff for the match is 7:30 p.m.

They will return to action Friday night in a USL-1 showdown with the Puerto Rico Islanders. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. at Marina Auto Stadium and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.