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Rhinos Extend Unbeaten Streak to Six, Blank NYRBII

By usl admin, 04/26/15, 11:00PM EDT

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USL Game Report

Sunday, April 26, 2015

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos, playing in their home opener, extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II in front of 6,184 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium on Sunday.

Second-year forward Alex Dixon scored the game-winning goal in the 40th minute off of an assist from New England Revolution loanee Tyler Rudy, and second-year midfielder Jonny Mendoza secured all three points for the home side off of an assist from striker Colin Rolfe in the 67th minute.

Goalkeepers Brandon Miller and Adam Grinwis each played a half in goal and combined to keep the clean sheet.

The victory moves the Rhinos back into a tie with Richmond Kickers at the top of the Eastern Conference with 14 points, improving to 4-0-2 to open the 2015 campaign. Richmond remains on top of the table based on goal differential.

Rochester’s pressing defensive style was the catalyst that opened the scoring for the home side. Rhinos striker Colin Rolfe forced NYRBII center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste to turn the ball over at the top left corner of New York’s penalty area. Rolfe squared the ball to Rudy at the top of the box. Rudy powered a shot on goal, but New York Red Bulls II goalkeeper Santiago Castano was able to dive to his left and parry Rudy’s effort away. However, Castano’s rebound dropped directly to Dixon, and he volleyed the ball into the empty net from 10 yards out for his third goal of the season.

Mendoza doubled the Rhinos advantage in the 68th minute. Rudy tackled the ball away from Red Bulls II forward Daniel Bedoya on the right flank just inside the attacking half of the pitch. Rudy played the ball forward to substitute Christian Volesky who quickly switched fields to Rolfe. Rolfe was able to slip a through ball to Mendoza down the left side of New York’s penalty area before Mendoza cut into the box, and finished past Castano into the lower right corner of the net. The goal was the second of the year for Mendoza.

Rochester entered the match with the best defensive record, the lowest goals-against average, and the most clean sheets in the USL. The Rhinos’ league-leading defense was stout again on Sunday afternoon as Rochester limited New York Red Bulls II to three shots on goal over the 90 minutes, and Rochester’s goalkeepers were not credited with any saves.

The loss dropped the Red Bulls II to 1-3-2 this season.


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