Rochester, July 7 2012 - The Rochester Rhinos beat the Dayton Dutch Lions FC Saturday night with 2-0 in front of 5300 spectators after 3rd minute and 90th minute goals by Danny Earls and substitute and former University of Dayton player Isaac Kissi.
After being behind early and escaping with a ball hitting the crossbar by Kirk the Lions had a chance of their own through Eli Garner assisted by Akeem Priestley but Garner came up short in the box facing Rhinos goalie Nicht. The Lions tried to built up from the back with Dias moving into the midfield from the back but they struggled keeping the ball in the final third and not being able to launch Garner or Priestley on the flanks. on the other hand Rochester did not create any real chances anymore themselves.
In the beginning of the second half Rochester hit the crossbar again, this time by McFayden. Five minutes later the Dutch Lions responded with a chance of their own. Priestley was able to get into space down the left flank, and played Garner in behind the Rhinos back four. Garner had a strike on goal, but Nicht kept it out with his biggest save of the night - a diving stop to his right. In the 75th minute the Dutch Lions had their best chance of the second half. Substitute Gibson Bardsley got loose down the right flank, and he dribbled the ball to the end line. Bardsley blistered a cross that trickled across the goal line, but no-one from Dayton could get a foot on the ball to supply the finishing touch.In the 90th minute the Rochester Rhinos secured all three points. Bellamy headed a Dutch Lions cross into the penalty area clear, and the ball came out to Hoxie, who took one touch to settle and then played Kissi in behind on a counter attack. Kissi ran on to the ball, pushed Jones off, and dribbled in alone on Williams and scored the game deciding goal.
The Lions are back in action this Friday when they play Harrisburg City Islanders away. The next home game is Wednesday July 18 against Harrisburg again at 7.30pm at Bellbrook High School.