A goal in the 4th minute, credited to Mark Rowland, lifted the Montreal Impact to a 1-0 win over the Rochester Raging Rhinos in front of 5, 961 spectators in a game played on a very hot day. Although Rowland was awarded the goal, it was tapped in by Rhinos defender Craig Demmin into his own net. The game was Montreal's second victory over the Rhinos having beaten them on Friday in Rochester.
Montreal started the game aggressively attacking from the get go. Chris Williams started the attack in the 2nd minute when he came in on the left and sent a great cross into the Rochester box But a Rhinos defender headed the ball out. Just two minutes later Mauro Biello fed a great pass to Rowland who was tearing down the left side. His shot towards Rhinos keeper Billy Andracki was deflected into the net by defender Demmin. Although it was plainly an own goal, Rowland was credited with the score. Montreal 1 Rochester 0.
Montreal continued to dominate the play making incursions into the Rochester zone with ease. Eduardo Sebrango had a great chance in the 13th minute when he was fed a pass in the box. The Montreal forward could not get a handle on the box and missed his shot.
Rochester went on the counterattack and in the 14th minute Impact keeper Greg Sutton was forced to make a hand save on a Kirk Wilson shot. . Sebrango had another chance for Montreal in the 22nd minute when Chris Williams passed him the ball in the box. Sebrango, who was not in position, tipped the ball wide. Seven minutes later, Sebrango fell before he could shoot a ball passed to him by midfielder Ze Roberto Santana. Sebrango continued the Montreal attack in the 31st minute when he sent another Williams pass just wide of Andracki's goal. The Rhinos had a few more chances in the latter part of the half. In the 36th minute Bill Sedwick sent a cross into the Montreal box that defender Nevio Pizzolitto deflected into Sutton's hands. Rhinos forward Ian Fuller had the best chance of the game when his shot was deflected off the post in the 45th minute. A fallen Sutton just managed to get a hold of the ball before any other Rhinos could pounce on it.
In the second half the tide turned. The Rhinos took over and pressed for the equalizer. Wilson threatened in the 47th minute but tripped in the box before he could shoot. Fuller sent a great cross in on net in the 51st minute but a header by Doug Miller went over the net. Rochester put a lot of pressure on the Montreal defense over the next few minutes but could not get one past Sutton. Wilson shot over the net following a Rhinos corner in the 57th minute. The Rhinos were swarming all over the Impact box but could not convert. Montreal made two quick changes in the 59th and 61st minute in an effort to replace players who were too tired to stop the Rhinos offence. Somehow Sutton kept Montreal in the game stopping several shots and bailing out his disorganized defenders. In the end the Rhinos could not score and the game ended 1-0.
After the game Impact coach Bob Lilley was happy with the way his team played saying, "Everyone's contributing. We're happy with the result." Rowland who was credited with the goal said, "We had a good start. The heat definitely played a part in the second half (but) we stayed naturally tough." With the win, the Impact now lead the Rhinos by four points in the Northeast division. Both teams will return to Rochester on Saturday to play their third consecutive game against each other.
Lineups:
Montreal: Sutton (GK), Pizzolitto, Kopp (Gervais 61), Fronimadis (Leduc 71), Francois, DeSantis, Ze Roberto Santana, Williams (DiTullio 59), Rowland, Sebrango, Biello (Nash 67). Substitutes not used: Ueltschey (GK), Barker, Lemire.
Rochester: Andracki (GK), Demmin, Schweitzer, Lavrinenko (Paco 78), Sedgewick (Dinunzio 86), Suarez (Rocha 69), Hayes (Mitchell 86), Wilson, Steenkamp, Miller, Fuller. Substitutes not used: Johnson (GK), Mendes, Kaczanowski.
Cautions: DeSantis (Montreal 56), Fuller (Rochester 78), Miller (Rochester 88).
Goal: Own goal Demmin credited to Rowland.
Attendance: 5, 961
Conditions: Very hot, field dry.
