This match would prove to be a task for a Hawks's squad that has had a run of bad form as of late. Cincinnati (8-0-14) going up against Rochester (14-2-6) on paper points to a Rochester victory. Rochester did show that as well as on paper they were going to be tough to beat.
With Rochester controlling play throughout the first 20 minutes of the first half they got on the scoreboard first when Amani-Dove carried the ball in a few yards then fired a shot into the net from outside the left side of the penalty area. 23rd minute - Rhinos 1 Hawks 0. Cincinnati came right back in the 25th minute and caught Rochester asleep when a long pass to Simon Lowey started a breakaway with teammate Craig Yacks. Up against 1 defender and the keeper the Hawks duo found scoring easy as Lowey crossed the ball perfectly from the left side where Yacks expertly scored from just inside the penalty area. Rhinos 1 Hawks 1. This goal however provided the wake up call that the Rhinos needed. The rest of the 1st half they controlled the ball masterfully not giving Cincinnati any chances at all. In the 37th minute Steenkamp, with a cheeky back heel pass to Amani-Dove set up the Rhinos 2nd goal of the match. Score now was Rhinos 2 Hawks 1 with the Rhinos in full control.
The 2nd half started with more of the same. Ball control by Rochester was keeping Cincinnati on the defensive. The control lasted until about the 75th minute when Cincinnati started showing a bit of control and getting some shots in at goal. However, the Rhinos weren't finished scoring. In the 79th minute, Steenkamp made a pass to substitute Stebbins who took two touches and placed the ball in the back of the net giving the Rhinos a 3-1 win.
The night in Cincinnati was not a loss however as a good crowd was on hand. With supporters from Rochester being there making noise it seemed to bring youth soccer players that had practices around the area to come and check out the game. The Rochester crowd deserves accolades for backing their team they way they do. With other teams fans seeing this support it does rub off and brings more fans in. So, THANK YOU to the Rochester fans!
LINEUPS
Cincinnati Rochester
GK 1 Wanamaker GK 25 Onstad
D 2 Meyer D 3 Demmin
D 24 Bevington D 4 Schweitzer
D 21 Fisher(17 Glasier, 45') D 6 Walton
D 16 Roetkker(20 Lee, 45') D 11 Sedgewick
M 25 Antongirozami M 5 Lavrynenko
M 11 Giacobbone M 10 Mladenenov(2 Dinunzo, 84')
M 15 Rockey M 15 Nash(58 Zavala, 75')
M 10 Matis M 23 Steenkamp(16 Bankov, 80')
F 7 Lowey F 7 Simmonds(20 Tanner, 53')
F 3 Yacks(9 Wolf, 83') F 17 Amani-Dove(22 Stebbins, 56')
STATS
Cincinnati Rochester
Shots 3 23
Saves 8 0
Offside 2 3
Corner Kicks 1 8
Fouls 15 13
CAUTIONS and EJECTIONS
Cincinnati - Antongirolami 40' (Caution)
GOALS
Rochester - Amani-Dove 23'
Cincinnati- Yacks 25'
Rochester - Amani-Dove 37
Rochester - Stebbins 79'
