September 24, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Rochester Rhinos vs Toronto FC II review (from rhinossoccer.com)
RHINOS WIN FINAL GAME OF 2016 REGULAR SEASON By Rochester Rhinos , 09/24/16, 8:00PM EDT Rhinos win 1-0 against Toronto FC II Rochester, NY (September 24, 2016)– The Rochester Rhinos hosted Toronto FC II on a beautiful fall day in upstate New York. The Rochester Rhinos stepped out on the pitch to not only finish the 2016 regular season, but to determine their place in the post season. The Rhinos had to pull out a victory against Toronto if they had any hopes of hosting a first round playoff match. The Rhinos came off the bench strong, applying pressure to the Toronto defense. The Rhinos took an early lead off a beautiful play from Ryan James who assisted Steevan Dos Santos. “I don’t believe personally in momentum. We’ve had a couple good games headed into the post season. It always the current game. We have to be mentally prepared for each game we go into.” said Ryan James, who helped lead his team to victory tonight. James crossed the ball into the box to a waiting Dos Santos. Dos Santos headed the ball past Toronto keeper Roberts to put his team in a great position early on. “It was an important game because we are fighting for the fourth spot. But to me every game is important.” said Dos Santos. Toronto kept the Rhinos on their toes, keeping the game within reach. However the Rhinos defense remained strong, as well as the offense controlled by Kenardo Forbes. Forbes hit the crossbar in the 38th minute, a goal that would have provided comfort to the fighting Rhinos. “I liked the fact we had the early goal. We had high energy in the first half. I was hoping we’d sneak a second goal in the last couple minutes of the first.” said Coach Lilley Toronto picked up the intensity in the second half, but the Rhinos were up to the challenge. The dominant defense held Toronto without a shot until the 80th minute. The Rhinos walked away with a 1-0 victory and are now 13-5-12 on the season. The Rhinos now have the potential to host a first round playoff match depending on the outcomes of other matches around the league tonight.
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