For the second year in a row, the Long Island Rough Riders were eliminated from the A-League Playoffs in the first round. This year, the Toronto Lynx played the spoilers as they left Mitchel Athletic Complex with a 2-1 win and advance to the second round to play the winner of the Hampton Roads vs. Richmond game. Despite winning 10 of their last 12 games, the Riders came up four wins short of the title. The Riders did make the playoffs for the seventh straight year, but are riding a four game losing streak in the playoffs. From the start of the game, Long Island was in for a long night. Toronto controlled the ball and pushed the Riders back on their heels. Brian Ashton scored the first goal of the game, five minutes into the first half. Ashton, like Toronto, was just in the right spot at the right time last night. Edson Buddle tried to clear the ball, but hit Ashton feet instead, and Ashton made the Riders pay. He hit a bending shot into the left hand corner of the net, beating a surprised Paul Grafer, and giving the Lynx a 1-0 lead. Just a few seconds later, Buddle had a chance to score the equalizer, but headed a cross from Daniel Leon, into the side of the post. He just missed a goal by inches.
Toronto put the final nail in the coffin in the 43rd minute. Lloyd Barker's pass found the foot of Juan Arango, who put the ball in the back of the net. The goal sent the Rough Riders into the locker room trailing 2-0, and killing any hopes of a second round game on Tuesday evening.
In the second half Long Island regained possession of the ball. As was the case the whole night, the Riders continued to create quality chances, but where unable to finish any of them.
With time running out on Long Island, Head Coach Paul Riley started to employ the help of his bench. He first inserted Steve Cadet for Laurence Piturro in the 51st minute. Piturro, who may have played in his last game as a Long Island Rough Rider, finished the season with one goal and no assists for two points in 19 games.
Finally, Dahir Mohammed, just a minute after coming on for Stephen Franzke, scored the Riders lone goal of the evening. Mohammed's, the Canadian Conqueror, goal in the 78th minute gave Long Island a slim chance of forcing overtime.
Long Island's last chance to tie the game came with just a few minutes left, as Ben Diallo's scissor kick sailed just inches over the crossbar. In a game of inches, the Riders came up a few inches short of a win.
"It's a shame that you work 5 months for this game, and this is how it ends," said a disappointed Paul Riley.
Rider Notes: Absent from the game and the bench was forward Irasto Knights, who has not been seen or heard from in a week since the Riders returned from their last road trip! Just another wonder with talent but no brains or heart. Wherever he goes, he is more of an individual than a teammate. The loss was just the third for the Riders at home this season. The leaders in points were Edson Buddle 27 points (11G, 5A), Gerry Lucey 25 points (9G, 7A), and Cordt Weinstein 18 points (7G, 4A). Paul Grafer finished the season seventh in the league with a 1.29 GAA in 2,515 minutes. His record was 16-9-3 with nine shutouts. Grafer will now turn his attention to helping the MetroStars win the MLS Cup. Good Luck Paul, and thanks for a great season!
