The Rochester Rhinos welcomed Antigua Barracuda FC to Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday night. A pair of second half goals for Rochester paved the way for their third win of the season.
The first quality scoring opportunity came off the foot of Tony Donatelli who ripped a shot that forced Antigua ‘keeper Keita DeCastro to be sharp diving to his right to make the save.
Rochester continued to pressure Antigua throughout the first half. Kendall Jagdeosignh nearly had a one-on-one with DeCastro after a long ball played by Alfonso Motagalvan led him directly toward the ‘keeper. DeCastro was quicker to the ball however clearing it out of harms way.
With five minutes remaining in the first half Quavas Kirk had a look off a corner blasting a 10 yarder wide of the goal. Minutes later rookie JC Banks fed Tyler Rosenlund inside the penalty area but the midfielder couldn’t get the shot off.
The second half saw the Rhinos continue to pressure Antigua. In the 53rd Jagdeosingh tallied his first goal of the season to give Rochester a 1-0 lead. Banks set up Jagdeosingh who made a run into the box. Jagdeosingh cut back eluding a falling defender and let go a hard low shot past DeCastro for a 1-0 lead.
Seven minutes later Rochester would strike again as Banks once again drove to the middle of the field sending a ball to Rosenlund who beat an on-rushing DeCastro for a 2-0 Rochester lead.
Rochester would continue to mount pressure offensively but couldn’t convert an insurance goal at the end of the match.
“It was a good win for us against a quality team who is at the top of the league” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. “It is a good step for us in getting to where we ant to be.”