Rhinos win as Tanner scores two




By Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle


(April 12, 2002) — In an effort to provide something it hasn't had in three years -- consistent scoring from its forwards -- Rochester signed Greg Simmonds and Dan Stebbins in the off-season and also gave second-year Rhino Kirk Wilson a pay raise.

Jimmy Tanner watched it all happen, and on Thursday began building a case for himself.

Tanner scored both goals less than a minute apart as the Rhinos opened the preseason with a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Lynx before a crowd of about 450 fans at Houghton College. Rochester takes on another A-League rival, Montreal, 3 p.m. Sunday at Bishop Kearney.

It was a typical defensive Rochester-Toronto matchup until the second half. In the 60th minute, newcomer Samir Sissic, a Bosnian who played at Mohawk Valley Community College and Cortland State, cut a ball back just inside the box to elude the Lynx keeper and Tanner was there for the easy putaway.

His next goal was prettier. Jamal Ballantyne, drafted in February out of St. Lawrence University, fed Tanner and he one-timed a shot from 16 yards.

"I had good momentum finishing last season. Once I left indoor soccer (with the Cleveland Crunch) I wanted to come in here ready to go," said Tanner, 23, a third-year pro and younger brother of Rhinos captain Tommy Tanner.

"Last year we had eight forwards and they only invited two back. Everyone we have is capable of playing at any time. When I get my opportunity I know I have to make the most of it."

The Rhinos' starting lineup was loaded with veterans. Pat Onstad opened in goal with central defenders Scott Schweitzer and Craig Demmin and outside backs Carlos Zavala and Kalin Bankov. Through the midfield were Martin Nash, Stoian Mladenov and seventh-year Rhinos Tommy Tanner and Lenin Steenkamp.

The forwards were Wilson and Stebbins, who spent last year away from professional soccer but has returned. Simmonds is bothered by a knee injury and didn't play.

"I told them to make sure they go out easy and get their game legs," coach Pat Ercoli said. "We've been training really hard so I knew we might be dragging, but they went out really quick."

All but one starter, Bankov, took the second half off. Scott Vallow moved into goal. He has started most of the past two league championship seasons, but he and a healthy Onstad are competing for the No. 1 job. Onstad missed the second half of last year with an injured hand.

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