August 18, 2006 USL Rochester Raging Rhinos vs Toronto Lynx (from Rhinos web site)
RHINOS SURRENDER LATE PENALTY KICK, TIE LYNX
Rochester set for game two of series with Lynx
Rochester, NY - August 18th, 2006
The Rochester Raging Rhinos and the Toronto Lynx played to a 1-1 tie tonight at PAETEC Park. A late penalty kick by Toronto gave the Lynx the equalizer, denying Rochester crucial points in the First Division standings. Rochester is now 5-1-5 this season at PAETEC Park. The Rhinos move into a three-way tie for second place with the Charleston Battery and Vancouver Whitecaps with 38 points.
Rochester had the first scoring chance as midfielder John Ball sent a cross into the box to forward Rey Martinez drove in and headed the ball just over the crossbar. Martinez, the fleet-footed native of Cuba, made his second start of the season.
The Lynx nearly converted on a free kick from 26 yards out 21 minutes in as Kevin Jeffrey sent a shot past the four-man wall and into the arms of a diving Scott Vallow.
In the 38th minute, Martinez again gave Zagar a scare when he blasted a shot just wide of the net. A long and high cross sent into the box by Mike Ambersley gave Martinez the open look at the near post. Minutes later, Jeffrey had his second chance of the game, but Vallow punched the ball high.
Rochester midfielder Jonny Steele broke free, taking a long pass from Ambersley, but failed to slide a shot past a charging Zagar. The former Rhino scooped up the rebound, denying the Rhinos of a golden opportunity just before the half. Rochester and Toronto entered the half scoreless. Fortunately for Rochester, the Rhinos entered the game 4-0-2 when tied at the half at home and 7-1-5 overall.
The quick and crafty Rey Martinez opened the scoring in the 58th minute as he chipped a shot over Zagar. Martinez sped past the last defender back and took a long pass from Jonny Steele to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead. It was Martinez's first goal of the season. Immediately after scoring, Martinez was replaced by newcomer Chris Bagley. Bagley joined the Rhinos earlier in the week after finishing the season with the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2) as a First-Team All-League midfielder.
In the 62nd minute, midfielder Greg Howes blasted a shot off the crossbar, nearly giving the Rhinos a two-goal lead. The former USL Rookie of the Year dribbled his way to an opening 18 yards from the goal.
Pressure in the 71st minute by Toronto created a breakaway one-on-one for Gordon Chin on Vallow. Chin's shot was denied by Vallow, creating a rebound opportunity for forward Matt Palleschi. With an open net and an opportunity to tally the equalizer, Palleschi slid feet-first in attempt to punch the ball to the back of the net but came up empty. Defender Kenney Bertz was back to clear the ball off the back line, ending the Toronto threat.
A penalty kick in the 82nd minute by Jamie Dodds tied the score for the Lynx. The kick was awarded after Palleschi won a footrace with Tenywa Bonseu, forcing Bonseu to slide in attempt to break up a shot. Vallow guessed left as Dodds drilled a shot inside the all-star goalkeeper's right post.
Rochester controlled possession for a majority of the three minutes of stoppage time. However, possession does not guarantee a win as both teams leave PAETEC Park with one point.
The Rhinos will visit Toronto on Sunday to face the Lynx in a 6:05 p.m. match. Rochester is 9-7-4 all-time in Toronto.
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ROC Starters: GK-Vallow, D-Bertz Sanfilippo, Palguta, Craft, M-Howes, Ball, Steele, Ambersley, F-Delicāte, Martinez
ROC Substitutions: Lines-->Ambersley (45'), Bagley-->Martinez (59'), Bonseu-->Steele (79'), Kramer-->Ball (83'), Menyongar-->Craft (87')
Scoring: ROC-Martinez (Steele) 58', TOR-Dodds (PK) 83',
Cautions: ROC-Lines (57'), TOR-Chin (61')
Referees: Ben Jones, Kevin Barci, Kevin Woody, Howard Bryerton
Attendance: 10,312
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