Rochester and Charleston Play To A Draw

Emotional Roller Coaster in Final Minutes Leaves Rhinos with Questions

J-P Altieri and Keith Kiedrowski,
a-league.com Match Reporters
Rochester

ROCHESTER, NY, July 28, 2003 – For years, finishing was never an issue with the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Opposing teams were rode hard and put up wet early and often, branding a trademark that when you messed with the Rhinos, you got the horn.

This year, it appears that Rochester’s once watertight defense is beginning to spring leaks. This season has been grueling for both Rhinos fans and the team; overtime matches at Frontier have become more common than one would like to admit. Things on the field have become so bewildering that even Rochester’s Soccer Sam, whose optimism about the Rhinos usually ends up looking more like prophecy, can’t put his finger on it for fans calling in during the post-game show.

The Rhinos issued the Battery a double-whammy within the match’s first 3 minutes: an early goal by Rhinos’ forward Ian Fuller off a deflected Kirk Wilson blast, and an injured Dusty Hudock, the starting Battery ‘keeper. All the cards appear to fall Rochester’s way for the first 25-plus minutes. Then the defense fell asleep and was caught out of position. An ugly rebound by Charleston’s Paul Conway gave the Battery the equalizer in the 28’.

Forward Dino Maamira placed a low shot on Rochester ‘keeper Bill Andracki who pushed the shot aside, but the defense was overloaded on Maamira’s side and Conway was left unmarked on the left, about 8-yards out. His shot was low and clean and deflated the crowd like a balloon.

Rochester finished the half with 5 of its eventual 14 corners, which must be some kind of team record, but each ended in some sort of misfire or clearance by the Battery. The Battery challenged Andracki once more right before the break, but he acrobatically knocked the ball over the bar, again revealing more cracks in the defense.

The second half started as the first half finished: more Battery build-ups and more of Andracki coming up with difficult saves. The game then went into a lull that showcased injuries to both teams, corner kicks that ended with no positive results, and, essentially, negative football.

In about the 78’, Rhinos forward Doug Miller finally got a good look at the Charleston goal, but he couldn’t convert. The game appeared to be destined for overtime. In the 87’, Rochester won a corner that was—again—cleared to midfield. This time though, the Rhinos quickly built from the right and defender Craig Demmin sent a clean pass into the Battery goal box to second half substitute Fred Commodore. Commodore, sacrificing his body for the team, scored probably the sweetest goal ever in Rhinos’ history with a point-blank bicycle kick into the net, past the rather impressive Chris Doyle (Battery ‘keeper).

One minute away from sealing victory and a piece of first place in the Northeast Division with Montreal, another leak sprung in the defense. The coaching staff was apprehensive at sending in defender Ryan Dinunzio and didn’t substitute quickly enough after the goal. The Rhinos moved into their defensive third and, rather than clearing long to the middle of the field and making the Battery back line chase long balls, they opted for sideline clearances. This helped the Battery move down field with ease, since they were being awarded throw-ins every step of the way.

The last throw-in by the Battery in the 93’ proved to be crushing for Rochester. Mismarking by defenders in the Rochester goal box allowed the throw-in to drop inside the 6-yard box that immediately put Andracki out of position, allowing Battery midfielder Chris Dore to equalize on a soft and low shot into the far corner. Defender Mark Watson was credited with the assist.

Overtime showcased few chances by either team. For Rochester, who seemed to be physically and mentally drained after the emotional high of Commodore’s acrobatic goal and the quick reply by the Battery, this was costly.

Is finishing to blame? Although a draw, the Rhinos let this one slip away, leaving them with many questions to answer as the post-season quickly approaches.

Goals Summary